Answers

Subtract 15/9 from 5/12

1^st number: 5/12, 2^nd number: 1 6/9

5/12 - 15/9 is -5/4.

Steps for subtracting fractions

1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
   LCM of 12 and 9 is 36
   
   Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36
2. For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
   5/12 = 5 × 3/12 × 3 = 15/36
3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
   15/9 = 15 × 4/9 × 4 = 60/36
4. Subtract the two like fractions:
   15/36 - 60/36 = 15 - 60/36 = -45/36
5. After reducing the fraction, the answer is -5/4

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad

Related: ¹⁰/₁₂-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-³⁰/₉ ⁵/₂₄-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₁₈ ¹⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-⁴⁵/₉ ⁵/₃₆-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₂₇ ²⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-⁷⁵/₉ ⁵/₆₀-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₄₅ ³⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₈₄-¹⁵/₉ ⁵/₁₂-¹⁵/₆₃

Subtract Fractions Calculator