Subtract 2/7 from 7/42
7/42 - 2/7 is -5/42.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 7 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
7/42 = 7 × 1/42 × 1 = 7/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 6 = 42,
2/7 = 2 × 6/7 × 6 = 12/42 - Subtract the two like fractions:
7/42 - 12/42 = 7 - 12/42 = -5/42
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/42-2/7 7/42-4/7 7/84-2/7 7/42-2/14 21/42-2/7 7/42-6/7 7/42-2/21 35/42-2/7 7/42-10/7 7/42-2/35 49/42-2/7 7/42-14/7 7/42-2/49