Subtract 7/42 from 40/12
1st number: 3 4/12, 2nd number: 7/42
40/12 - 7/42 is 19/6.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 42 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
40/12 = 40 × 7/12 × 7 = 280/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
7/42 = 7 × 2/42 × 2 = 14/84 - Subtract the two like fractions:
280/84 - 14/84 = 280 - 14/84 = 266/84 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 19/6
- In mixed form: 31/6
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 80/12-7/42 40/12-14/42 40/24-7/42 40/12-7/84 40/12-21/42 40/36-7/42 40/12-35/42 40/60-7/42 40/12-49/42 40/84-7/42