Subtract 7/9 from 42/72
42/72 - 7/9 is -7/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 9 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 9 × 8 = 72,
7/9 = 7 × 8/9 × 8 = 56/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
42/72 - 56/72 = 42 - 56/72 = -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: 84/72-7/9 42/72-14/9 42/72-7/18 42/72-21/9 42/72-7/27 42/72-35/9 42/72-7/45 42/72-49/9 42/72-7/63