Subtract 72/5 from 42/10
1st number: 4 2/10, 2nd number: 14 2/5
42/10 - 72/5 is -51/5.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 10 and 5 is 10
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 10 - For the 1st fraction, since 10 × 1 = 10,
42/10 = 42 × 1/10 × 1 = 42/10 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 2 = 10,
72/5 = 72 × 2/5 × 2 = 144/10 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/10 - 144/10 = 42 - 144/10 = -102/10 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -51/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/10-72/5 42/20-72/5 42/10-72/10 42/30-72/5 42/10-72/15 42/50-72/5 42/10-72/25 42/70-72/5 42/10-72/35