Subtract 40/18 from 7/42
1st number: 7/42, 2nd number: 2 4/18
7/42 - 40/18 is -37/18.
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,
40/18 = 40 × 7/18 × 7 = 280/126 - Subtract the two like fractions:
21/126 - 280/126 = 21 - 280/126 = -259/126 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -37/18
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