Subtract 42/16 from 5/21
1st number: 5/21, 2nd number: 2 10/16
5/21 - 42/16 is -401/168.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
5/21 = 5 × 16/21 × 16 = 80/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
42/16 = 42 × 21/16 × 21 = 882/336 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/336 - 882/336 = 80 - 882/336 = -802/336 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -401/168
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/21-42/16 5/21-84/16 5/42-42/16 5/21-42/32 15/21-42/16 5/63-42/16 5/21-42/48 25/21-42/16 5/21-42/80 35/21-42/16