Subtract 5/36 from 42/18
1st number: 2 6/18, 2nd number: 5/36
42/18 - 5/36 is 79/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 36 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
42/18 = 42 × 2/18 × 2 = 84/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
5/36 = 5 × 1/36 × 1 = 5/36 - Subtract the two like fractions:
84/36 - 5/36 = 84 - 5/36 = 79/36 - In mixed form: 27/36
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/18-5/36 42/18-10/36 42/36-5/36 42/18-5/72 42/18-15/36 42/54-5/36 42/18-25/36 42/90-5/36 42/18-35/36