Subtract 7/9 from 21/48
21/48 - 7/9 is -49/144.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 9 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
21/48 = 21 × 3/48 × 3 = 63/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
7/9 = 7 × 16/9 × 16 = 112/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
63/144 - 112/144 = 63 - 112/144 = -49/144
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/48-7/9 21/48-14/9 21/96-7/9 21/48-7/18 63/48-7/9 21/48-21/9 21/48-7/27 21/48-35/9 21/48-7/45 21/48-49/9 21/48-7/63