Subtract 15/40 from 21/4
1st number: 5 1/4, 2nd number: 15/40
21/4 - 15/40 is 39/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 10 = 40,
21/4 = 21 × 10/4 × 10 = 210/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
15/40 = 15 × 1/40 × 1 = 15/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
210/40 - 15/40 = 210 - 15/40 = 195/40 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 39/8
- In mixed form: 47/8
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/4-15/40 21/4-30/40 21/8-15/40 21/4-15/80 63/4-15/40 21/4-45/40 21/12-15/40 21/4-75/40 21/20-15/40 21/28-15/40