Subtract 40/84 from 21/2
1st number: 10 1/2, 2nd number: 40/84
21/2 - 40/84 is 421/42.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 84 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 42 = 84,
21/2 = 21 × 42/2 × 42 = 882/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 84 × 1 = 84,
40/84 = 40 × 1/84 × 1 = 40/84 - Subtract the two like fractions:
882/84 - 40/84 = 882 - 40/84 = 842/84 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 421/42
- In mixed form: 101/42
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/2-40/84 21/2-80/84 21/4-40/84 63/2-40/84 21/6-40/84 21/10-40/84 21/14-40/84