Subtract 36/16 from 20/12
1st number: 1 8/12, 2nd number: 2 4/16
20/12 - 36/16 is -7/12.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
20/12 = 20 × 4/12 × 4 = 80/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
36/16 = 36 × 3/16 × 3 = 108/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/48 - 108/48 = 80 - 108/48 = -28/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -7/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 40/12-36/16 20/12-72/16 20/24-36/16 20/12-36/32 60/12-36/16 20/36-36/16 20/12-36/48 20/60-36/16 20/12-36/80 20/84-36/16