Subtract 4/12 from 42/15
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 4/12
42/15 - 4/12 is 37/15.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 4 = 60,
42/15 = 42 × 4/15 × 4 = 168/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
4/12 = 4 × 5/12 × 5 = 20/60 - Subtract the two like fractions:
168/60 - 20/60 = 168 - 20/60 = 148/60 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 37/15
- In mixed form: 27/15
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/15-4/12 42/15-8/12 42/30-4/12 42/15-4/24 42/45-4/12 42/15-4/36 42/15-20/12 42/75-4/12 42/15-4/60 42/15-28/12 42/15-4/84