Subtract 5/18 from 42/48
42/48 - 5/18 is 43/72.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 18 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
42/48 = 42 × 3/48 × 3 = 126/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
5/18 = 5 × 8/18 × 8 = 40/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
126/144 - 40/144 = 126 - 40/144 = 86/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 43/72
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