There are a couple of different ways to do this. One would be to first note that "2/5" is larger than "1/3" so we need to "borrow" a 1: 3+ 1/3= 2+ 1+ 1/3= 2+ 4/3. Of course, now, when we subtract 2 4/3 - 2 2/5, the "2"s will cancel leaving only 4/3- 2/5. To subtract this, we need the "common denominator" which will be 3(5)= 15. Multiply both numerator and denominator of 4/3 by 5: 20/15. Multiply both numerator and denominator of 2/5 by 3: 6/15.
Now, can you subtract 20/15- 6/15?
Another way would be to make these into "improper fractions". 3= 9/3 so 3+ 1/3= 9/3+ 1/3= 10/3. 2= 10/5 so 2+ 2/5= 10/5+ 2/5= 12/5. So we have
3 1/3- 2 2/5= 10/3- 12/5. Again, get the common denominator by multiplying both numerator of the first fraction by 5 and of the second fraction by 3:
50/15- 36/15. Can you do that?
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