Subtract 3/9 from 12/21
12/21 - 3/9 is 5/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 9 is 63
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 63 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 3 = 63,
12/21 = 12 × 3/21 × 3 = 36/63 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 7 = 63,
3/9 = 3 × 7/9 × 7 = 21/63 - Subtract the two like fractions:
36/63 - 21/63 = 36 - 21/63 = 15/63 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 5/21
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