Subtract 5/42 from 12/8
1st number: 1 4/8, 2nd number: 5/42
12/8 - 5/42 is 29/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 42 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
12/8 = 12 × 21/8 × 21 = 252/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 4 = 168,
5/42 = 5 × 4/42 × 4 = 20/168 - Subtract the two like fractions:
252/168 - 20/168 = 252 - 20/168 = 232/168 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 29/21
- In mixed form: 18/21
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 24/8-5/42 12/8-10/42 12/16-5/42 12/8-5/84 36/8-5/42 12/8-15/42 12/24-5/42 60/8-5/42 12/8-25/42 12/40-5/42 84/8-5/42 12/8-35/42 12/56-5/42