Subtract 5/8 from 7/40
7/40 - 5/8 is -9/20.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 8 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
7/40 = 7 × 1/40 × 1 = 7/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 5 = 40,
5/8 = 5 × 5/8 × 5 = 25/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
7/40 - 25/40 = 7 - 25/40 = -18/40 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -9/20
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/40-5/8 7/40-10/8 7/80-5/8 7/40-5/16 21/40-5/8 7/40-15/8 7/40-5/24 35/40-5/8 7/40-25/8 7/40-5/40 49/40-5/8 7/40-35/8 7/40-5/56