Subtract 9/20 from 3/16
3/16 - 9/20 is -21/80.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 20 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
3/16 = 3 × 5/16 × 5 = 15/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 4 = 80,
9/20 = 9 × 4/20 × 4 = 36/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
15/80 - 36/80 = 15 - 36/80 = -21/80
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 6/16-9/20 3/16-18/20 3/32-9/20 3/16-9/40 9/16-9/20 3/16-27/20 3/48-9/20 3/16-9/60 15/16-9/20 3/16-45/20 3/80-9/20 21/16-9/20 3/16-63/20