Subtract 8/12 from 42/3
1st number: 14 0/3, 2nd number: 8/12
42/3 - 8/12 is 40/3.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 12 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 4 = 12,
42/3 = 42 × 4/3 × 4 = 168/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
8/12 = 8 × 1/12 × 1 = 8/12 - Subtract the two like fractions:
168/12 - 8/12 = 168 - 8/12 = 160/12 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 40/3
- In mixed form: 131/3
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/3-8/12 42/3-16/12 42/6-8/12 42/3-8/24 42/3-24/12 42/9-8/12 42/3-8/36 42/3-40/12 42/15-8/12 42/3-8/60 42/3-56/12 42/21-8/12 42/3-8/84