Subtract 5/16 from 5/42
5/42 - 5/16 is -65/336.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
5/42 = 5 × 8/42 × 8 = 40/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
5/16 = 5 × 21/16 × 21 = 105/336 - Subtract the two like fractions:
40/336 - 105/336 = 40 - 105/336 = -65/336
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/42-5/16 5/42-10/16 5/84-5/16 5/42-5/32 15/42-5/16 5/42-15/16 5/42-5/48 25/42-5/16 5/42-25/16 5/42-5/80 35/42-5/16 5/42-35/16