Question

1. mark talked on his cell phone for $3\frac{2}{5}$ hours. gerald talked on his cell phone for hours. how much longer did mark talk on his phone than gerald?

Explanation:

Step1: Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction

$3\frac{2}{5}=\frac{3\times5 + 2}{5}=\frac{15+2}{5}=\frac{17}{5}$

Step2: Assume Gerald talked for $x$ hours (but since the value of Gerald's talk - time is not given, if we assume Gerald talked for $x = 3$ hours (assuming a common - sense value as the problem statement might have a typo))

The difference in time is $\frac{17}{5}-3$. Convert $3$ to a fraction with denominator $5$, so $3=\frac{15}{5}$. Then $\frac{17}{5}-\frac{15}{5}=\frac{17 - 15}{5}=\frac{2}{5}$

Answer:

If Gerald talked for 3 hours, Mark talked $\frac{2}{5}$ hours longer.