Subtract 40/8 from 21/12
1st number: 1 9/12, 2nd number: 5 0/8
21/12 - 40/8 is -13/4.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 8 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 2 = 24,
21/12 = 21 × 2/12 × 2 = 42/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
40/8 = 40 × 3/8 × 3 = 120/24 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/24 - 120/24 = 42 - 120/24 = -78/24 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -13/4
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