Subtract 81/32 from 5/42
1st number: 5/42, 2nd number: 2 17/32
5/42 - 81/32 is -1621/672.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 32 is 672
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 672 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 16 = 672,
5/42 = 5 × 16/42 × 16 = 80/672 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 21 = 672,
81/32 = 81 × 21/32 × 21 = 1701/672 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/672 - 1701/672 = 80 - 1701/672 = -1621/672
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