Subtract 5/40 from 42/84
42/84 - 5/40 is 3/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 40 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 10 = 840,
42/84 = 42 × 10/84 × 10 = 420/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
5/40 = 5 × 21/40 × 21 = 105/840 - Subtract the two like fractions:
420/840 - 105/840 = 420 - 105/840 = 315/840 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 3/8
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