Subtract 84/42 from 40/36
1st number: 1 4/36, 2nd number: 2 0/42
40/36 - 84/42 is -8/9.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 42 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
40/36 = 40 × 7/36 × 7 = 280/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
84/42 = 84 × 6/42 × 6 = 504/252 - Subtract the two like fractions:
280/252 - 504/252 = 280 - 504/252 = -224/252 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -8/9
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