Subtract 16/20 from 1/40
1/40 - 16/20 is -31/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 20 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
1/40 = 1 × 1/40 × 1 = 1/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 2 = 40,
16/20 = 16 × 2/20 × 2 = 32/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
1/40 - 32/40 = 1 - 32/40 = -31/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 2/40-16/20 1/40-32/20 1/80-16/20 1/40-16/40 3/40-16/20 1/40-48/20 1/40-16/60 5/40-16/20 1/40-80/20 7/40-16/20