Question

a patient is on a low sodium, low fat diet. three months ago the patient weighed 220\frac{1}{8} pounds. now the patient weighs 205\frac{5}{8} pounds. how many pounds did the patient lose? the patient lost pounds. (simplify your answer. type a whole number, proper fraction, or mixed number.)

Explanation:

Step1: Convert mixed - numbers to improper fractions

The initial weight $220\frac{1}{8}=\frac{220\times8 + 1}{8}=\frac{1760+1}{8}=\frac{1761}{8}$ pounds. The current weight $205\frac{5}{8}=\frac{205\times8+5}{8}=\frac{1640 + 5}{8}=\frac{1645}{8}$ pounds.

Step2: Subtract current weight from initial weight

The weight lost is $\frac{1761}{8}-\frac{1645}{8}=\frac{1761 - 1645}{8}=\frac{116}{8}$.

Step3: Simplify the fraction

$\frac{116}{8}=\frac{29}{2}=14\frac{1}{2}$ pounds.

Answer:

$14\frac{1}{2}$