Subtract 3/16 from 1/2
1/2 - 3/16 is 5/16.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 16 is 16
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 16 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 8 = 16,
1/2 = 1 × 8/2 × 8 = 8/16 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 1 = 16,
3/16 = 3 × 1/16 × 1 = 3/16 - Subtract the two like fractions:
8/16 - 3/16 = 8 - 3/16 = 5/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 1/2-6/16 1/4-3/16 1/2-3/32 3/2-3/16 1/2-9/16 1/6-3/16 1/2-3/48 5/2-3/16 1/2-15/16 1/10-3/16 1/2-3/80 7/2-3/16 1/2-21/16 1/14-3/16