Subtract 16/72 from 12/4
1st number: 3 0/4, 2nd number: 16/72
12/4 - 16/72 is 25/9.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 72 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 18 = 72,
12/4 = 12 × 18/4 × 18 = 216/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
16/72 = 16 × 1/72 × 1 = 16/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
216/72 - 16/72 = 216 - 16/72 = 200/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 25/9
- In mixed form: 27/9
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/4-16/72 12/4-32/72 12/8-16/72 36/4-16/72 12/4-48/72 60/4-16/72 12/4-80/72 12/20-16/72 84/4-16/72 12/28-16/72