the new road is 4 1/3 miles
the dirt roads are :
2 3/8 + 3 5/6 =
2 + 3 = 5
3/8 + 5/6 = 18/48 + 40/48 = 58/48 = 29/24 = 1 5/24
5 + 1 5/24 = 6 5/24
so the difference is :
6 5/24 - 4 1/3 =
5 29/24 - 4 8/24 =
1 21/24 reduces to 1 7/8 <=== the difference is 1 7/8 mile...by taking the new road, u are traveling 1 7/8 miles less then if u take the dirt roads
