Subtract 40/16 from 42/12
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 2 8/16
42/12 - 40/16 is 1/1.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
42/12 = 42 × 4/12 × 4 = 168/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
40/16 = 40 × 3/16 × 3 = 120/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
168/48 - 120/48 = 168 - 120/48 = 48/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 1/1
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/12-40/16 42/12-80/16 42/24-40/16 42/12-40/32 42/36-40/16 42/12-40/48 42/60-40/16 42/12-40/80 42/84-40/16