Subtract 9/72 from 42/16
1st number: 2 10/16, 2nd number: 9/72
42/16 - 9/72 is 5/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 72 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
42/16 = 42 × 9/16 × 9 = 378/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
9/72 = 9 × 2/72 × 2 = 18/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
378/144 - 18/144 = 378 - 18/144 = 360/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 5/2
- In mixed form: 21/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/16-9/72 42/16-18/72 42/32-9/72 42/16-27/72 42/48-9/72 42/16-45/72 42/80-9/72 42/16-63/72