Question

On Sunday, Sheldon bought 4 1/2 kg of plant food. He used 1 2/3 kg on his strawberry plants and used 1/6 kg on his tomato plants. How many kilograms of plant food did Sheldon have left?

Answer 1

Given:

Total quantity of plant foot Sheldon bought = 4½ kg

Quantity used on strawberry plant = 1⅔ kg

Quantity used on tomato plants = ⅙ kg

To find the amount of plant food left, use the formula:

Amount left = Total - amount used on strawberry pant - amount used on tomato plants

Thus, we have:

$\begin{gathered} \text{Amount left = 4}\frac{1}{2}-1\frac{2}{3}-\frac{1}{6} \\ \\ \end{gathered}$

Convert the mixed fractions to improper fractions:

$\begin{gathered} =\frac{9}{2}-\frac{5}{3}-\frac{1}{6} \\ \end{gathered}$

Find the LCM:

GCF of 2, 3, and 6 = 6

Divide the LCM by each denominator and multiply the result by their respective numerators and evaluate.

$\begin{gathered} \frac{9}{2}-\frac{5}{3}-\frac{1}{6} \\ \\ \frac{27-10-1}{6} \\ \\ =\frac{16}{6} \\ \\ =\frac{8}{3} \\ \\ =2\frac{2}{3} \end{gathered}$

Therefore, the amount of plant food left is 2⅔ kg

ANSWER:

$2\frac{2}{3}\text{ kg}$