Subtract 21/12 from 40/36
1st number: 1 4/36, 2nd number: 1 9/12
40/36 - 21/12 is -23/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 12 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
40/36 = 40 × 1/36 × 1 = 40/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
21/12 = 21 × 3/12 × 3 = 63/36 - Subtract the two like fractions:
40/36 - 63/36 = 40 - 63/36 = -23/36
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