Subtract 7/18 from 42/72
42/72 - 7/18 is 7/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 18 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
42/72 = 42 × 1/72 × 1 = 42/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
7/18 = 7 × 4/18 × 4 = 28/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/72 - 28/72 = 42 - 28/72 = 14/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 7/36
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/72-7/18 42/72-14/18 42/72-7/36 42/72-21/18 42/72-7/54 42/72-35/18 42/72-7/90 42/72-49/18