Subtract 27/42 from 5/2
1st number: 2 1/2, 2nd number: 27/42
5/2 - 27/42 is 13/7.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 21 = 42,
5/2 = 5 × 21/2 × 21 = 105/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
27/42 = 27 × 1/42 × 1 = 27/42 - Subtract the two like fractions:
105/42 - 27/42 = 105 - 27/42 = 78/42 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 13/7
- In mixed form: 16/7
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/2-27/42 5/2-54/42 5/4-27/42 5/2-27/84 15/2-27/42 5/2-81/42 5/6-27/42 25/2-27/42 5/10-27/42 35/2-27/42 5/14-27/42