How can you check your work after solving a mixed number subtraction problem?

To check your work after solving a mixed number subtraction problem, you can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Revert the Answer to the Original Form
Convert your final answer back into an improper fraction and then add the fractions. This process should give you back the original fractions before subtraction. If it matches the original values, your work is correct.

Using the previous problem as an example:
- Our final answer was \(8 \frac{1}{3}\).
- Convert \(8 \frac{1}{3}\) to an improper fraction:
  \[
  8 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{8 \times 3 + 1}{3} = \frac{24 + 1}{3} = \frac{25}{3}
  \]

This is the same improper fraction we obtained after performing the subtraction, so the calculation is correct.

### Step 2: Add the Subtraction Result to the Subtracted Mixed Number
Reverse the operation by adding the result back to the number you subtracted to see if you get the original mixed number.
- We subtracted \(6 \frac{1}{3}\) from \(14 \frac{2}{3}\). 
- Add \(8 \frac{1}{3}\) back to \(6 \frac{1}{3}\):

  Convert both mixed numbers to improper fractions:
  \[
  8 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{25}{3}, \quad 6 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{19}{3}
  \]
  Now add them:
  \[
  \frac{25}{3} + \frac{19}{3} = \frac{25 + 19}{3} = \frac{44}{3} = 14 \frac{2}{3}
  \]

Since this equals the original mixed number, the solution is verified.

### Step 3: Double-Check Each Step
- Ensure that you correctly converted mixed numbers to improper fractions.
- Confirm that you correctly performed the subtraction of the fractions.
- Verify that you simplified the result correctly if necessary.

### Summary:
If everything matches after these checks, your original solution is correct!

Would you like to explore any other questions or concepts related to this?

Here are some related questions:
1. What are the steps to convert improper fractions back to mixed numbers?
2. How do you multiply mixed numbers?
3. How do you add mixed numbers with unlike denominators?
4. What is the method to simplify complex fractions?
5. How do you divide mixed numbers?

**Tip:** When checking your work, it's helpful to do the reverse operation or use estimation to verify that your result makes sense.

Learn how to verify your solution after solving a mixed number subtraction problem with detailed steps and examples. This problem covers fractions, mixed numbers, and techniques for verifying mathematical solutions. Suitable for students in Grades 4-6.

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