Question

the amount of snowfall in february was $\frac{1}{4}$ feet. the amount of snowfall in january was $4\frac{1}{2}$ feet. how much more snowfall was there in january? write your answer as a mixed number in simplest form. feet

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the operation

To find how much more snowfall was in January, we subtract the February snowfall from the January snowfall. So we need to calculate \(4\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{4}\).

Step2: Convert mixed number to improper fraction

First, convert \(4\frac{1}{2}\) to an improper fraction. \(4\frac{1}{2}=\frac{4\times2 + 1}{2}=\frac{9}{2}\).

Step3: Find a common denominator

The denominators are 2 and 4. The least common denominator is 4. Convert \(\frac{9}{2}\) to a fraction with denominator 4: \(\frac{9}{2}=\frac{9\times2}{2\times2}=\frac{18}{4}\).

Step4: Subtract the fractions

Now subtract \(\frac{1}{4}\) from \(\frac{18}{4}\): \(\frac{18}{4}-\frac{1}{4}=\frac{18 - 1}{4}=\frac{17}{4}\).

Step5: Convert back to mixed number

Convert \(\frac{17}{4}\) to a mixed number: \(17\div4 = 4\) with a remainder of 1, so \(\frac{17}{4}=4\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer:

\(4\frac{1}{4}\)