Subtract 40/12 from 20/8
1st number: 2 4/8, 2nd number: 3 4/12
20/8 - 40/12 is -5/6.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 12 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
20/8 = 20 × 3/8 × 3 = 60/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 2 = 24,
40/12 = 40 × 2/12 × 2 = 80/24 - Subtract the two like fractions:
60/24 - 80/24 = 60 - 80/24 = -20/24 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -5/6
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 40/8-40/12 20/8-80/12 20/16-40/12 20/8-40/24 60/8-40/12 20/24-40/12 20/8-40/36 20/40-40/12 20/8-40/60 20/56-40/12 20/8-40/84