Math Problem of the Week - Middle School - May 16, 2021 to May 22, 2021

Middle School: 

Question: Noah ate 5/12 of a bowl of ice cream. Brooklyn ate 6/14 of the same ice cream. Who ate more ice cream? How much more?

Answer: Brooklyn ate 1/84 of the ice cream more than Noah.

Solution: To find the difference, we'll need to find the least common denominator of the fractions. Since the LCM of 12 and 14 is 84, we need to convert the fractions to 84ths. Noah ate 5/12 = 35/84 of the ice cream, and Brooklyn ate 6/14 = 36/84 of the ice cream. Brooklyn therefore ate 36/84 - 35/84 = 1/84 of the ice cream more than Noah.