Subtract 21/4 from 36/72
1st number: 36/72, 2nd number: 5 1/4
36/72 - 21/4 is -19/4.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 4 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
36/72 = 36 × 1/72 × 1 = 36/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 18 = 72,
21/4 = 21 × 18/4 × 18 = 378/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
36/72 - 378/72 = 36 - 378/72 = -342/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -19/4
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