Subtract 5/40 from 3/16
3/16 - 5/40 is 1/16.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 40 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
3/16 = 3 × 5/16 × 5 = 15/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
5/40 = 5 × 2/40 × 2 = 10/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
15/80 - 10/80 = 15 - 10/80 = 5/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 1/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 6/16-5/40 3/16-10/40 3/32-5/40 3/16-5/80 9/16-5/40 3/16-15/40 3/48-5/40 15/16-5/40 3/16-25/40 3/80-5/40 21/16-5/40 3/16-35/40