Mixed numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided by changing them to improper fractions and proceeding as when performing the operations with other fractions.

EXAMPLE

A piece of tubing 6 3/16 inches long is cut from a piece 24 1/2 inches long. Allowing 1/16 inch for the cut, what is the length of the remaining piece?

FIRST: Reduce the fractional parts to like fractions and complete the subtraction process.

NEXT: Subtract the integer parts.

24 - 6 = 18

THEN: Combine the results obtained in each step.