Subtract 9/72 from 5/16
5/16 - 9/72 is 3/16.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 72 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 72 × 2 = 144,
9/72 = 9 × 2/72 × 2 = 18/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
45/144 - 18/144 = 45 - 18/144 = 27/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 3/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/16-9/72 5/16-18/72 5/32-9/72 15/16-9/72 5/16-27/72 5/48-9/72 25/16-9/72 5/16-45/72 5/80-9/72 35/16-9/72 5/16-63/72