125/24 can never be less than 31/24.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of the fractions 125/24 and 31/24, specifically questioning the validity of stating that 125/24 is less than 31/24. Participants are examining the implications of this comparison in the context of a broader mathematical problem involving sums and differences of mixed numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the assertion that 125/24 can be less than 31/24, with some suggesting that the question may not have a meaningful answer. Others explore the idea of expressing the difference in terms of negative values, raising further questions about the interpretation of "less than" and "greater than."

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the relationship between the two fractions. Some have offered alternative ways to express the comparison, but there is no explicit consensus on how to frame the relationship accurately.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the problem statement and the definitions of mathematical terms involved, particularly in relation to the properties of fractions and their comparisons.

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Homework Statement

The sum of 3 7/8
and 1 1/3 is less
than the
difference
between 3/8 and 1
2/3 by what?





Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

The problem states that 125/24 is less than 31/24; that as 125/24 is less than 31/24, then by how much is (125/24) less than 31/24?

I think that question has no answer and does not make any meaning since 125/24 can never be less than 31/24.

How do you guys see it?
 
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chikis said:

Homework Statement

The sum of 3 7/8
and 1 1/3 is less
than the
difference
between 3/8 and 1
2/3 by what?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

The problem states that 125/24 is less than 31/24; that as 125/24 is less than 31/24, then by how much is (125/24) less than 31/24?

I think that question has no answer and does not make any meaning since 125/24 can never be less than 31/24.

How do you guys see it?

You could say that 125/24 is 'less than' 31/24 by -94/24. But sure, it's not really less than.
 
Dick said:
You could say that 125/24 is 'less than' 31/24 by -94/24. But sure, it's not really less than.

In other words, we can say that that 31/24 is greater than 125/24 by -91/24.
 


chikis said:
In other words, we can say that that 31/24 is greater than 125/24 by -91/24.

That's the amount you would have to add to 125/24 to get 31/24. But no, I don't think you should really say 'greater'. That's why I keep putting these words in quotes.
 

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