# Thread: Mixed numbers word problem

1. ## Mixed numbers word problem

If you lose $3\frac{1}{2}$pounds the first week of your diet and $2\frac{2}{3}$pounds the second week, how many
pounds do you still need to lose to reach your goal of losing 10 pounds?

Answer(provided): $9\frac{1}{10}$

To my belief pounds to reach goals = 10 - total lost
which in this case would be 10 - ( $2\frac{2}{3} + 3\frac{1}{2}$)
Which is 10 - ( $\frac{7}{2}+\frac{8}{3}$)
Which is 10 - $\frac{37}{6}$
Which is $\frac{23}{6} = 3\frac{5}{6}$

Why am I wrong, what might I be thinking opposite to what is actually right?

Thanks

2. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

What you have written is correct, provided that you have copied the question down correctly.

3. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

Yup. That's what I got too.

4. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

Originally Posted by Prove It
What you have written is correct, provided that you have copied the question down correctly.
Originally Posted by highvoltage
Yup. That's what I got too.
Then why is the correct answer, according to the test answers, $9\frac{1}{10}$?

5. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

I kept thinking that this was some kind of trick question or something.

6. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

Originally Posted by vaironxxrd
Then why is the correct answer, according to the test answers, $9\frac{1}{10}$?
Either the answers are wrong, or you have read the answer to a different question, or you have copied the question wrong.

7. ## Re: Mixed numbers word problem

Originally Posted by Prove It
Either the answers are wrong, or you have read the answer to a different question, or you have copied the question wrong.
Mr. Prove it, you indeed proved it. I was going back and forth between the pages and I was reading three answers ahead.
So I was right, so I'm really not low on my pre-algebra skills. I don't even know why am I reviewing this unit.