Subtract 42/16 from 5/15
1st number: 5/15, 2nd number: 2 10/16
5/15 - 42/16 is -55/24.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 16 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 16 = 240,
5/15 = 5 × 16/15 × 16 = 80/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 15 = 240,
42/16 = 42 × 15/16 × 15 = 630/240 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/240 - 630/240 = 80 - 630/240 = -550/240 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -55/24
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/15-42/16 5/15-84/16 5/30-42/16 5/15-42/32 5/45-42/16 5/15-42/48 25/15-42/16 5/75-42/16 5/15-42/80 35/15-42/16