Subtract 21/14 from 27/42
1st number: 27/42, 2nd number: 1 7/14
27/42 - 21/14 is -6/7.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 14 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
27/42 = 27 × 1/42 × 1 = 27/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 14 × 3 = 42,
21/14 = 21 × 3/14 × 3 = 63/42 - Subtract the two like fractions:
27/42 - 63/42 = 27 - 63/42 = -36/42 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -6/7
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 54/42-21/14 27/42-42/14 27/84-21/14 27/42-21/28 81/42-21/14 27/42-63/14 27/42-21/42 27/42-21/70 27/42-21/98