Question

1. for an industrial arts class, talia used \\(\frac{1}{3}\\) of a piece of wood for the base of her project, \\(\frac{1}{4}\\) of the piece of wood for a vertical support, and the rest for a horizontal support. what fraction of the piece of wood did talia use as a horizontal support?

Explanation:

Step1: Find common denominator

The denominators are 3 and 4, so the least common denominator is $3\times4 = 12$.

Step2: Convert fractions

Convert $\frac{1}{3}$ to twelfths: $\frac{1}{3}=\frac{1\times4}{3\times4}=\frac{4}{12}$.
Convert $\frac{1}{4}$ to twelfths: $\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1\times3}{4\times3}=\frac{3}{12}$.

Step3: Sum used fractions

Sum of used fractions: $\frac{4}{12}+\frac{3}{12}=\frac{4 + 3}{12}=\frac{7}{12}$.

Step4: Subtract from 1

The whole piece is 1 (or $\frac{12}{12}$). Subtract used from whole: $\frac{12}{12}-\frac{7}{12}=\frac{12 - 7}{12}=\frac{5}{12}$.

Answer:

$\frac{5}{12}$