Question

Add the following rational numbers:

\[\frac{5}{36} and \frac{- 7}{12}\]

Answer 1

\[\text{The L.C.M. of denominators 36 and 12 is 36} . \]
\[\text{Now, we will express} \frac{- 7}{12} \text{in the form in which it takes the denominator 36} . \]
\[\frac{- 7 \times 3}{12 \times 3} = \frac{- 21}{36}\]
\[\text{So}\]
\[\frac{5}{36} + \frac{- 7}{12} = \frac{5}{36} + \frac{- 21}{36}\]
\[ = \frac{5 + ( - 21)}{36}\]
\[ = \frac{5 - 21}{36}\]
\[ = \frac{- 16}{36}\]
\[ = \frac{- 4}{9}\]