Answer:
To find the length of the piece left over after cutting 8 1/2 inches from a pipe that is 12 1/4 inches long, you subtract the length to be cut from the original length:
\[ 12 \frac{1}{4} - 8 \frac{1}{2} \]
First, convert both mixed numbers to improper fractions:
\[ \frac{49}{4} - \frac{17}{2} \]
Now, find a common denominator, which is 4:
\[ \frac{49}{4} - \frac{34}{4} \]
Subtract the numerators:
\[ \frac{49 - 34}{4} \]
\[ \frac{15}{4} \]
Now, convert the improper fraction back to a mixed number:
\[ 3 \frac{3}{4} \]
Therefore, the piece left over is \( 3 \frac{3}{4} \) inches long.
