Spencer is solving 9 1/3 − 2 2/3. What is the correct result?
A : 12
B : 6 2/3
C : 7 2/3
D : 7 2/9
The correct result of 9 1/3 - 2 2/3 can be found by subtracting the whole numbers and then subtracting the fractions separately.
9 1/3 - 2 2/3
The whole numbers are 9 and 2. Subtracting these gives 9 - 2 = 7.
The fractions are 1/3 and 2/3. Subtracting these gives 1/3 - 2/3 = -(1/3).
Putting this together, the result is 7 -(1/3).
Since the fraction is negative, it can be rewritten as a mixed number by subtracting 1 from the whole number and adding the absolute value of the fraction to obtain 6 2/3.
Therefore, the correct result is B : 6 2/3.