Subtract 5/36 from 21/8
1st number: 2 5/8, 2nd number: 5/36
21/8 - 5/36 is 179/72.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 36 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
21/8 = 21 × 9/8 × 9 = 189/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
5/36 = 5 × 2/36 × 2 = 10/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
189/72 - 10/72 = 189 - 10/72 = 179/72 - In mixed form: 235/72
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 42/8-5/36 21/8-10/36 21/16-5/36 21/8-5/72 63/8-5/36 21/8-15/36 21/24-5/36 21/8-25/36 21/40-5/36 21/8-35/36 21/56-5/36