Subtract 18/16 from 20/40
1st number: 20/40, 2nd number: 1 2/16
20/40 - 18/16 is -5/8.
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,
20/40 = 20 × 2/40 × 2 = 40/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
18/16 = 18 × 5/16 × 5 = 90/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
40/80 - 90/80 = 40 - 90/80 = -50/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -5/8
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 20/40-36/16 20/80-18/16 20/40-18/32 60/40-18/16 20/40-54/16 20/40-18/48 20/40-90/16 20/40-18/80