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Subtract 42/8 from 21/84

1st number: 21/84, 2nd number: 5 2/8

21/84 - 42/8 is -5/1.

Steps for subtracting fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 84 and 8 is 168

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 2 = 168,
    21/84 = 21 × 2/84 × 2 = 42/168
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
    42/8 = 42 × 21/8 × 21 = 882/168
  4. Subtract the two like fractions:
    42/168 - 882/168 = 42 - 882/168 = -840/168
  5. After reducing the fraction, the answer is -5/1

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