Subtract 42/40 from 4/16
1st number: 4/16, 2nd number: 1 2/40
4/16 - 42/40 is -4/5.
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,
4/16 = 4 × 5/16 × 5 = 20/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
42/40 = 42 × 2/40 × 2 = 84/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
20/80 - 84/80 = 20 - 84/80 = -64/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -4/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 8/16-42/40 4/16-84/40 4/32-42/40 4/16-42/80 12/16-42/40 4/48-42/40 20/16-42/40 4/80-42/40 28/16-42/40