Subtract 12/8 from 42/12
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 1 4/8
42/12 - 12/8 is 2/1.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 8 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 2 = 24,
42/12 = 42 × 2/12 × 2 = 84/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
12/8 = 12 × 3/8 × 3 = 36/24 - Subtract the two like fractions:
84/24 - 36/24 = 84 - 36/24 = 48/24 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 2/1
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/12-12/8 42/12-24/8 42/24-12/8 42/12-12/16 42/12-36/8 42/36-12/8 42/12-12/24 42/12-60/8 42/60-12/8 42/12-12/40 42/12-84/8 42/84-12/8 42/12-12/56