Subtract 3/9 from 21/16
1st number: 1 5/16, 2nd number: 3/9
21/16 - 3/9 is 47/48.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 9 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
21/16 = 21 × 9/16 × 9 = 189/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
3/9 = 3 × 16/9 × 16 = 48/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
189/144 - 48/144 = 189 - 48/144 = 141/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 47/48
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/16-3/9 21/16-6/9 21/32-3/9 21/16-3/18 63/16-3/9 21/48-3/9 21/16-3/27 21/16-15/9 21/80-3/9 21/16-3/45 21/16-21/9 21/16-3/63