Subtract 8/16 from 2/5
2/5 - 8/16 is -1/10.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 16 = 80,
2/5 = 2 × 16/5 × 16 = 32/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
8/16 = 8 × 5/16 × 5 = 40/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
32/80 - 40/80 = 32 - 40/80 = -8/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -1/10
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 4/5-8/16 2/10-8/16 2/5-8/32 6/5-8/16 2/5-24/16 2/15-8/16 2/5-8/48 10/5-8/16 2/5-40/16 2/25-8/16 2/5-8/80 14/5-8/16 2/5-56/16 2/35-8/16