Subtract 5/9 from 42/2
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 5/9
42/2 - 5/9 is 184/9.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 9 is 18
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 18 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 9 = 18,
42/2 = 42 × 9/2 × 9 = 378/18 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 2 = 18,
5/9 = 5 × 2/9 × 2 = 10/18 - Subtract the two like fractions:
378/18 - 10/18 = 378 - 10/18 = 368/18 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 184/9
- In mixed form: 204/9
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/2-5/9 42/2-10/9 42/4-5/9 42/2-5/18 42/2-15/9 42/6-5/9 42/2-5/27 42/2-25/9 42/10-5/9 42/2-5/45 42/2-35/9 42/14-5/9 42/2-5/63