Subtract 5/16 from 2/40
2/40 - 5/16 is -21/80.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
2/40 = 2 × 2/40 × 2 = 4/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
5/16 = 5 × 5/16 × 5 = 25/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
4/80 - 25/80 = 4 - 25/80 = -21/80
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 4/40-5/16 2/40-10/16 2/80-5/16 2/40-5/32 6/40-5/16 2/40-15/16 2/40-5/48 10/40-5/16 2/40-25/16 2/40-5/80 14/40-5/16 2/40-35/16