Subtract 20/16 from 12/18
1st number: 12/18, 2nd number: 1 4/16
12/18 - 20/16 is -7/12.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
12/18 = 12 × 8/18 × 8 = 96/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
20/16 = 20 × 9/16 × 9 = 180/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
96/144 - 180/144 = 96 - 180/144 = -84/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -7/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/18-20/16 12/18-40/16 12/36-20/16 12/18-20/32 36/18-20/16 12/18-60/16 12/54-20/16 12/18-20/48 60/18-20/16 12/90-20/16 12/18-20/80 84/18-20/16