Subtract 18/8 from 40/72
1st number: 40/72, 2nd number: 2 2/8
40/72 - 18/8 is -61/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
40/72 = 40 × 1/72 × 1 = 40/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
18/8 = 18 × 9/8 × 9 = 162/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
40/72 - 162/72 = 40 - 162/72 = -122/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -61/36
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