Subtract 42/12 from 12/2
1st number: 6 0/2, 2nd number: 3 6/12
12/2 - 42/12 is 5/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 12 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 6 = 12,
12/2 = 12 × 6/2 × 6 = 72/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
42/12 = 42 × 1/12 × 1 = 42/12 - Subtract the two like fractions:
72/12 - 42/12 = 72 - 42/12 = 30/12 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 5/2
- In mixed form: 21/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/2-42/12 12/2-84/12 12/4-42/12 12/2-42/24 36/2-42/12 12/6-42/12 12/2-42/36 60/2-42/12 12/10-42/12 12/2-42/60 84/2-42/12 12/14-42/12 12/2-42/84