Subtract 21/18 from 5/16
1st number: 5/16, 2nd number: 1 3/18
5/16 - 21/18 is -41/48.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 18 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
5/16 = 5 × 9/16 × 9 = 45/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
21/18 = 21 × 8/18 × 8 = 168/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
45/144 - 168/144 = 45 - 168/144 = -123/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -41/48
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/16-21/18 5/16-42/18 5/32-21/18 5/16-21/36 15/16-21/18 5/16-63/18 5/48-21/18 5/16-21/54 25/16-21/18 5/80-21/18 5/16-21/90 35/16-21/18