Subtract 12/16 from 21/8
1st number: 2 5/8, 2nd number: 12/16
21/8 - 12/16 is 15/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 16 is 16
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 16 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 2 = 16,
21/8 = 21 × 2/8 × 2 = 42/16 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 1 = 16,
12/16 = 12 × 1/16 × 1 = 12/16 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/16 - 12/16 = 42 - 12/16 = 30/16 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 15/8
- In mixed form: 17/8
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/8-12/16 21/8-24/16 21/16-12/16 21/8-12/32 63/8-12/16 21/8-36/16 21/24-12/16 21/8-12/48 21/8-60/16 21/40-12/16 21/8-12/80 21/8-84/16 21/56-12/16