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Subtract 84/16 from 21/40

1st number: 21/40, 2nd number: 5 4/16

21/40 - 84/16 is -189/40.

Steps for subtracting fractions

  1. 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
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
    21/40 = 21 × 2/40 × 2 = 42/80
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
    84/16 = 84 × 5/16 × 5 = 420/80
  4. Subtract the two like fractions:
    42/80 - 420/80 = 42 - 420/80 = -378/80
  5. After reducing the fraction, the answer is -189/40

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