Subtract 4/12 from 42/8
1st number: 5 2/8, 2nd number: 4/12
42/8 - 4/12 is 59/12.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 12 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
42/8 = 42 × 3/8 × 3 = 126/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 2 = 24,
4/12 = 4 × 2/12 × 2 = 8/24 - Subtract the two like fractions:
126/24 - 8/24 = 126 - 8/24 = 118/24 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 59/12
- In mixed form: 411/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/8-4/12 42/8-8/12 42/16-4/12 42/8-4/24 42/24-4/12 42/8-4/36 42/8-20/12 42/40-4/12 42/8-4/60 42/8-28/12 42/56-4/12 42/8-4/84