Subtract 14/16 from 7/72
7/72 - 14/16 is -7/9.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
7/72 = 7 × 2/72 × 2 = 14/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
14/16 = 14 × 9/16 × 9 = 126/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
14/144 - 126/144 = 14 - 126/144 = -112/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -7/9
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/72-14/16 7/72-28/16 7/72-14/32 21/72-14/16 7/72-42/16 7/72-14/48 35/72-14/16 7/72-70/16 7/72-14/80 49/72-14/16 7/72-98/16