Subtract 40/9 from 21/16
1st number: 1 5/16, 2nd number: 4 4/9
21/16 - 40/9 is -451/144.
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,
40/9 = 40 × 16/9 × 16 = 640/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
189/144 - 640/144 = 189 - 640/144 = -451/144
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/16-40/9 21/16-80/9 21/32-40/9 21/16-40/18 63/16-40/9 21/48-40/9 21/16-40/27 21/80-40/9 21/16-40/45 21/16-40/63