Subtract 6/12 from 42/2
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 6/12
42/2 - 6/12 is 41/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 12 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 6 = 12,
42/2 = 42 × 6/2 × 6 = 252/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
6/12 = 6 × 1/12 × 1 = 6/12 - Subtract the two like fractions:
252/12 - 6/12 = 252 - 6/12 = 246/12 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 41/2
- In mixed form: 201/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/2-6/12 42/4-6/12 42/2-6/24 42/2-18/12 42/6-6/12 42/2-6/36 42/2-30/12 42/10-6/12 42/2-6/60 42/2-42/12 42/14-6/12 42/2-6/84