Subtract 3/8 from 8/36
8/36 - 3/8 is -11/72.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
8/36 = 8 × 2/36 × 2 = 16/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
3/8 = 3 × 9/8 × 9 = 27/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
16/72 - 27/72 = 16 - 27/72 = -11/72
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 16/36-3/8 8/36-6/8 8/72-3/8 8/36-3/16 24/36-3/8 8/36-9/8 8/36-3/24 40/36-3/8 8/36-15/8 8/36-3/40 56/36-3/8 8/36-21/8 8/36-3/56