Subtract 28/16 from 12/72
1st number: 12/72, 2nd number: 1 12/16
12/72 - 28/16 is -19/12.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
12/72 = 12 × 2/72 × 2 = 24/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
28/16 = 28 × 9/16 × 9 = 252/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
24/144 - 252/144 = 24 - 252/144 = -228/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -19/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/72-28/16 12/72-56/16 12/72-28/32 36/72-28/16 12/72-84/16 12/72-28/48 60/72-28/16 12/72-28/80 84/72-28/16