Subtract 72/5 from 42/2
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 14 2/5
42/2 - 72/5 is 33/5.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 5 is 10
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 10 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 5 = 10,
42/2 = 42 × 5/2 × 5 = 210/10 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 2 = 10,
72/5 = 72 × 2/5 × 2 = 144/10 - Subtract the two like fractions:
210/10 - 144/10 = 210 - 144/10 = 66/10 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 33/5
- In mixed form: 63/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/2-72/5 42/4-72/5 42/2-72/10 42/6-72/5 42/2-72/15 42/10-72/5 42/2-72/25 42/14-72/5 42/2-72/35