Subtract 18/16 from 18/20
1st number: 18/20, 2nd number: 1 2/16
18/20 - 18/16 is -9/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 4 = 80,
18/20 = 18 × 4/20 × 4 = 72/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
18/16 = 18 × 5/16 × 5 = 90/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
72/80 - 90/80 = 72 - 90/80 = -18/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -9/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 36/20-18/16 18/20-36/16 18/40-18/16 18/20-18/32 54/20-18/16 18/20-54/16 18/60-18/16 18/20-18/48 90/20-18/16 18/20-90/16 18/20-18/80