Subtract 18/16 from 5/9
1st number: 5/9, 2nd number: 1 2/16
5/9 - 18/16 is -41/72.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
5/9 = 5 × 16/9 × 16 = 80/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
18/16 = 18 × 9/16 × 9 = 162/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
80/144 - 162/144 = 80 - 162/144 = -82/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -41/72
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/9-18/16 5/9-36/16 5/18-18/16 5/9-18/32 15/9-18/16 5/9-54/16 5/27-18/16 5/9-18/48 25/9-18/16 5/9-90/16 5/45-18/16 5/9-18/80 35/9-18/16 5/63-18/16