Subtract 36/27 from 18/42
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 1 9/27
18/42 - 36/27 is -19/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 27 is 378
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 378 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 9 = 378,
18/42 = 18 × 9/42 × 9 = 162/378 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 14 = 378,
36/27 = 36 × 14/27 × 14 = 504/378 - Subtract the two like fractions:
162/378 - 504/378 = 162 - 504/378 = -342/378 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -19/21
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 36/42-36/27 18/42-72/27 18/84-36/27 18/42-36/54 54/42-36/27 18/42-36/81 90/42-36/27