Subtract 3/12 from 21/4
1st number: 5 1/4, 2nd number: 3/12
21/4 - 3/12 is 5/1.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 12 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 3 = 12,
21/4 = 21 × 3/4 × 3 = 63/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
3/12 = 3 × 1/12 × 1 = 3/12 - Subtract the two like fractions:
63/12 - 3/12 = 63 - 3/12 = 60/12 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 5/1
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/4-3/12 21/4-6/12 21/8-3/12 21/4-3/24 63/4-3/12 21/4-9/12 21/12-3/12 21/4-3/36 21/4-15/12 21/20-3/12 21/4-3/60 21/4-21/12 21/28-3/12 21/4-3/84