Subtract 3/12 from 40/16
1st number: 2 8/16, 2nd number: 3/12
40/16 - 3/12 is 9/4.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 12 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
40/16 = 40 × 3/16 × 3 = 120/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
3/12 = 3 × 4/12 × 4 = 12/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
120/48 - 12/48 = 120 - 12/48 = 108/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 9/4
- In mixed form: 21/4
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 80/16-3/12 40/16-6/12 40/32-3/12 40/16-3/24 40/16-9/12 40/48-3/12 40/16-3/36 40/16-15/12 40/80-3/12 40/16-3/60 40/16-21/12 40/16-3/84