Subtract 1/5 from 5/40
5/40 - 1/5 is -3/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 5 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
5/40 = 5 × 1/40 × 1 = 5/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 8 = 40,
1/5 = 1 × 8/5 × 8 = 8/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
5/40 - 8/40 = 5 - 8/40 = -3/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/40-1/5 5/40-2/5 5/80-1/5 5/40-1/10 15/40-1/5 5/40-3/5 5/40-1/15 25/40-1/5 5/40-1/25 35/40-1/5 5/40-7/5 5/40-1/35