Subtract 5/3 from 21/18
1st number: 1 3/18, 2nd number: 1 2/3
21/18 - 5/3 is -1/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 3 is 18
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 18 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 1 = 18,
21/18 = 21 × 1/18 × 1 = 21/18 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 6 = 18,
5/3 = 5 × 6/3 × 6 = 30/18 - Subtract the two like fractions:
21/18 - 30/18 = 21 - 30/18 = -9/18 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -1/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/18-5/3 21/18-10/3 21/36-5/3 21/18-5/6 63/18-5/3 21/18-15/3 21/54-5/3 21/18-5/9 21/18-25/3 21/90-5/3 21/18-5/15 21/18-35/3 21/18-5/21