Subtract 42/8 from 56/12
1st number: 4 8/12, 2nd number: 5 2/8
56/12 - 42/8 is -7/12.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 8 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 2 = 24,
56/12 = 56 × 2/12 × 2 = 112/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
42/8 = 42 × 3/8 × 3 = 126/24 - Subtract the two like fractions:
112/24 - 126/24 = 112 - 126/24 = -14/24 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -7/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 56/12-84/8 56/24-42/8 56/12-42/16 56/36-42/8 56/12-42/24 56/60-42/8 56/12-42/40 56/84-42/8 56/12-42/56