Subtract 21/16 from 21/40
1st number: 21/40, 2nd number: 1 5/16
21/40 - 21/16 is -63/80.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
21/40 = 21 × 2/40 × 2 = 42/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
21/16 = 21 × 5/16 × 5 = 105/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/80 - 105/80 = 42 - 105/80 = -63/80
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/40-21/16 21/40-42/16 21/80-21/16 21/40-21/32 63/40-21/16 21/40-63/16 21/40-21/48 21/40-21/80