Subtract 40/72 from 60/42, Solve 1 18/42

Subtract 40/72 from 60/42

1^st number: 1 18/42, 2^nd number: 40/72

60/42 - 40/72 is 55/63.

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 72 is 504

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504
For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 12 = 504,
60/42 = 60 × 12/42 × 12 = 720/504
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
40/72 = 40 × 7/72 × 7 = 280/504
Subtract the two like fractions:
720/504 - 280/504 = 720 - 280/504 = 440/504
After reducing the fraction, the answer is 55/63

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad