Subtract 21/16 from 45/12
1st number: 3 9/12, 2nd number: 1 5/16
45/12 - 21/16 is 39/16.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
45/12 = 45 × 4/12 × 4 = 180/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
21/16 = 21 × 3/16 × 3 = 63/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
180/48 - 63/48 = 180 - 63/48 = 117/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 39/16
- In mixed form: 27/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 90/12-21/16 45/12-42/16 45/24-21/16 45/12-21/32 45/12-63/16 45/36-21/16 45/12-21/48 45/60-21/16 45/12-21/80 45/84-21/16