Subtract 27/18 from 7/42
1st number: 7/42, 2nd number: 1 9/18
7/42 - 27/18 is -4/3.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
7/42 = 7 × 3/42 × 3 = 21/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
27/18 = 27 × 7/18 × 7 = 189/126 - Subtract the two like fractions:
21/126 - 189/126 = 21 - 189/126 = -168/126 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -4/3
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/42-27/18 7/42-54/18 7/84-27/18 7/42-27/36 21/42-27/18 7/42-81/18 7/42-27/54 35/42-27/18 7/42-27/90 49/42-27/18