Subtract 3/15 from 5/42
5/42 - 3/15 is -17/210.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 15 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
5/42 = 5 × 5/42 × 5 = 25/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 14 = 210,
3/15 = 3 × 14/15 × 14 = 42/210 - Subtract the two like fractions:
25/210 - 42/210 = 25 - 42/210 = -17/210
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/42-3/15 5/42-6/15 5/84-3/15 5/42-3/30 15/42-3/15 5/42-9/15 5/42-3/45 25/42-3/15 5/42-3/75 35/42-3/15 5/42-21/15