Subtract 9/20 from 3/8
3/8 - 9/20 is -3/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 20 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 5 = 40,
3/8 = 3 × 5/8 × 5 = 15/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 2 = 40,
9/20 = 9 × 2/20 × 2 = 18/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
15/40 - 18/40 = 15 - 18/40 = -3/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 6/8-9/20 3/8-18/20 3/16-9/20 3/8-9/40 9/8-9/20 3/8-27/20 3/24-9/20 3/8-9/60 15/8-9/20 3/8-45/20 3/40-9/20 21/8-9/20 3/8-63/20 3/56-9/20