Subtract 21/9 from 40/42
1st number: 40/42, 2nd number: 2 3/9
40/42 - 21/9 is -29/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 9 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
40/42 = 40 × 3/42 × 3 = 120/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 14 = 126,
21/9 = 21 × 14/9 × 14 = 294/126 - Subtract the two like fractions:
120/126 - 294/126 = 120 - 294/126 = -174/126 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -29/21
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