Subtract 20/16 from 20/36
1st number: 20/36, 2nd number: 1 4/16
20/36 - 20/16 is -25/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 4 = 144,
20/36 = 20 × 4/36 × 4 = 80/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
20/16 = 20 × 9/16 × 9 = 180/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/144 - 180/144 = 80 - 180/144 = -100/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -25/36
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 40/36-20/16 20/36-40/16 20/72-20/16 20/36-20/32 60/36-20/16 20/36-60/16 20/36-20/48 20/36-20/80