Subtract 56/40 from 18/42
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 1 16/40
18/42 - 56/40 is -34/35.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 40 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 20 = 840,
18/42 = 18 × 20/42 × 20 = 360/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
56/40 = 56 × 21/40 × 21 = 1176/840 - Subtract the two like fractions:
360/840 - 1176/840 = 360 - 1176/840 = -816/840 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -34/35
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