Subtract 7/16 from 42/72
42/72 - 7/16 is 7/48.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
42/72 = 42 × 2/72 × 2 = 84/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
7/16 = 7 × 9/16 × 9 = 63/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
84/144 - 63/144 = 84 - 63/144 = 21/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 7/48
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/72-7/16 42/72-14/16 42/72-7/32 42/72-21/16 42/72-7/48 42/72-35/16 42/72-7/80 42/72-49/16