Subtract 42/5 from 18/15
1st number: 1 3/15, 2nd number: 8 2/5
18/15 - 42/5 is -36/5.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 5 is 15
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 15 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 1 = 15,
18/15 = 18 × 1/15 × 1 = 18/15 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 3 = 15,
42/5 = 42 × 3/5 × 3 = 126/15 - Subtract the two like fractions:
18/15 - 126/15 = 18 - 126/15 = -108/15 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -36/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 36/15-42/5 18/15-84/5 18/30-42/5 18/15-42/10 54/15-42/5 18/45-42/5 18/15-42/15 90/15-42/5 18/75-42/5 18/15-42/25 18/15-42/35