12. \( 1-\frac{1}{5}= \)

To solve \( 1 - \frac{1}{5} \), first, you can express 1 as a fraction: \( \frac{5}{5} \). Now you have \( \frac{5}{5} - \frac{1}{5} \). Subtracting the numerators gives you \( \frac{5 - 1}{5} = \frac{4}{5} \). So, \( 1 - \frac{1}{5} = \frac{4}{5} \)! Now, did you know that fractions like this are often used in cooking? For instance, if a recipe calls for one whole cup of sugar and you need to take away a fifth of it, you’ll only need \( \frac{4}{5} \) of a cup! Knowing how to manipulate fractions can help you adjust recipes with ease. Also, fractions have a long history—dating back to ancient civilizations! Egyptians used unit fractions, which are fractions with a numerator of 1, for their calculations. So next time you work with a fraction, you’re joining in on a mathematical journey that has spanned centuries!