Subtract 36/16 from 42/2
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 2 4/16
42/2 - 36/16 is 75/4.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 16 is 16
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 16 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 8 = 16,
42/2 = 42 × 8/2 × 8 = 336/16 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 1 = 16,
36/16 = 36 × 1/16 × 1 = 36/16 - Subtract the two like fractions:
336/16 - 36/16 = 336 - 36/16 = 300/16 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 75/4
- In mixed form: 183/4
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/2-36/16 42/2-72/16 42/4-36/16 42/2-36/32 42/6-36/16 42/2-36/48 42/10-36/16 42/2-36/80 42/14-36/16