Subtract 21/4 from 42/16
1st number: 2 10/16, 2nd number: 5 1/4
42/16 - 21/4 is -21/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 4 is 16
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 16 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 1 = 16,
42/16 = 42 × 1/16 × 1 = 42/16 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 4 = 16,
21/4 = 21 × 4/4 × 4 = 84/16 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/16 - 84/16 = 42 - 84/16 = -42/16 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -21/8
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