Subtract 7/16 from 21/42
21/42 - 7/16 is 1/16.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
21/42 = 21 × 8/42 × 8 = 168/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
7/16 = 7 × 21/16 × 21 = 147/336 - Subtract the two like fractions:
168/336 - 147/336 = 168 - 147/336 = 21/336 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 1/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 21/42-14/16 21/84-7/16 21/42-7/32 63/42-7/16 21/42-21/16 21/42-7/48 21/42-35/16 21/42-7/80 21/42-49/16