Subtract 36/16 from 3/12
1st number: 3/12, 2nd number: 2 4/16
3/12 - 36/16 is -2/1.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
3/12 = 3 × 4/12 × 4 = 12/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
36/16 = 36 × 3/16 × 3 = 108/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
12/48 - 108/48 = 12 - 108/48 = -96/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -2/1
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 6/12-36/16 3/12-72/16 3/24-36/16 3/12-36/32 9/12-36/16 3/36-36/16 3/12-36/48 15/12-36/16 3/60-36/16 3/12-36/80 21/12-36/16 3/84-36/16