Subtract 42/9 from 12/4
1st number: 3 0/4, 2nd number: 4 6/9
12/4 - 42/9 is -5/3.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 9 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
12/4 = 12 × 9/4 × 9 = 108/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
42/9 = 42 × 4/9 × 4 = 168/36 - Subtract the two like fractions:
108/36 - 168/36 = 108 - 168/36 = -60/36 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -5/3
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/4-42/9 12/4-84/9 12/8-42/9 12/4-42/18 36/4-42/9 12/4-42/27 60/4-42/9 12/20-42/9 12/4-42/45 84/4-42/9 12/28-42/9 12/4-42/63