Subtract 56/36 from 18/42
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 1 20/36
18/42 - 56/36 is -71/63.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
18/42 = 18 × 6/42 × 6 = 108/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
56/36 = 56 × 7/36 × 7 = 392/252 - Subtract the two like fractions:
108/252 - 392/252 = 108 - 392/252 = -284/252 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -71/63
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