Subtract 42/8 from 40/84, Solve 40/84

Subtract 42/8 from 40/84

1^st number: 40/84, 2^nd number: 5 2/8

40/84 - 42/8 is -401/84.

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 8 is 168

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168
For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 2 = 168,
40/84 = 40 × 2/84 × 2 = 80/168
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
42/8 = 42 × 21/8 × 21 = 882/168
Subtract the two like fractions:
80/168 - 882/168 = 80 - 882/168 = -802/168
After reducing the fraction, the answer is -401/84

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