Subtract 3/8 from 12/40
12/40 - 3/8 is -3/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 8 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
12/40 = 12 × 1/40 × 1 = 12/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 5 = 40,
3/8 = 3 × 5/8 × 5 = 15/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
12/40 - 15/40 = 12 - 15/40 = -3/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/40-3/8 12/40-6/8 12/80-3/8 12/40-3/16 36/40-3/8 12/40-9/8 12/40-3/24 60/40-3/8 12/40-15/8 12/40-3/40 84/40-3/8 12/40-21/8 12/40-3/56