Subtract 12/9 from 16/21
1st number: 16/21, 2nd number: 1 3/9
16/21 - 12/9 is -4/7.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 9 is 63
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 63 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 3 = 63,
16/21 = 16 × 3/21 × 3 = 48/63 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 7 = 63,
12/9 = 12 × 7/9 × 7 = 84/63 - Subtract the two like fractions:
48/63 - 84/63 = 48 - 84/63 = -36/63 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -4/7
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 32/21-12/9 16/21-24/9 16/42-12/9 16/21-12/18 48/21-12/9 16/21-36/9 16/63-12/9 16/21-12/27 80/21-12/9 16/21-60/9 16/21-12/45 16/21-84/9 16/21-12/63