Subtract 16/21 from 5/8
5/8 - 16/21 is -23/168.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 21 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
5/8 = 5 × 21/8 × 21 = 105/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 8 = 168,
16/21 = 16 × 8/21 × 8 = 128/168 - Subtract the two like fractions:
105/168 - 128/168 = 105 - 128/168 = -23/168
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/8-16/21 5/8-32/21 5/16-16/21 5/8-16/42 15/8-16/21 5/8-48/21 5/24-16/21 5/8-16/63 25/8-16/21 5/8-80/21 5/40-16/21 35/8-16/21 5/56-16/21