Subtract 16/9 from 21/40
1st number: 21/40, 2nd number: 1 7/9
21/40 - 16/9 is -451/360.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 9 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
21/40 = 21 × 9/40 × 9 = 189/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 40 = 360,
16/9 = 16 × 40/9 × 40 = 640/360 - Subtract the two like fractions:
189/360 - 640/360 = 189 - 640/360 = -451/360
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/40-16/9 21/40-32/9 21/80-16/9 21/40-16/18 63/40-16/9 21/40-48/9 21/40-16/27 21/40-80/9 21/40-16/45 21/40-16/63