Subtract 42/12 from 40/72
1st number: 40/72, 2nd number: 3 6/12
40/72 - 42/12 is -53/18.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 12 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 12 × 6 = 72,
42/12 = 42 × 6/12 × 6 = 252/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
40/72 - 252/72 = 40 - 252/72 = -212/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -53/18
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