Subtract 40/8 from 7/36
1st number: 7/36, 2nd number: 5 0/8
7/36 - 40/8 is -173/36.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
7/36 = 7 × 2/36 × 2 = 14/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
40/8 = 40 × 9/8 × 9 = 360/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
14/72 - 360/72 = 14 - 360/72 = -346/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -173/36
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/36-40/8 7/36-80/8 7/72-40/8 7/36-40/16 21/36-40/8 7/36-40/24 35/36-40/8 49/36-40/8 7/36-40/56