Subtract 18/16 from 21/12
1st number: 1 9/12, 2nd number: 1 2/16
21/12 - 18/16 is 5/8.
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,
21/12 = 21 × 4/12 × 4 = 84/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
18/16 = 18 × 3/16 × 3 = 54/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
84/48 - 54/48 = 84 - 54/48 = 30/48 - 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: 42/12-18/16 21/12-36/16 21/24-18/16 21/12-18/32 63/12-18/16 21/12-54/16 21/36-18/16 21/12-18/48 21/12-90/16 21/60-18/16 21/12-18/80 21/84-18/16