How does 1-3/8 = 5/8?

Step-by-step explanation:

1 is also known as 8/8, because anything that has all the parts to it is a whole.

Meaning, we can change this equation into 8/8-3/8, which makes it much easier.

With that, if you subtract the numerators, 8-3,  you get 5. In other words, you are subtracting three "pieces" from the eight "pieces". You end up with 5 of the original 8 "pieces", or 5/8.

9 x 8 divided by (5-3)=36

geometry: triangles

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answers archive

call the larger triangle abc

then the smaller triangle cde is similar to abc (all angles are equal, aaa).  

ab is the side that is 36, and we wish to find de, the side corresponding to ab

area_cde = area_abc - area_cde --> area_abc / area_cde = 2

let x=length of de

ratio of areas = (ratio of sides)^2

+2+=+%2836%2fx%29%5e2+

+2+=+1296%2fx%5e2+

++x%5e2+=+1296%2f2+=+648+

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