Subtract 5/42 from 7/72
7/72 - 5/42 is -11/504.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 42 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
7/72 = 7 × 7/72 × 7 = 49/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 12 = 504,
5/42 = 5 × 12/42 × 12 = 60/504 - Subtract the two like fractions:
49/504 - 60/504 = 49 - 60/504 = -11/504
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/72-5/42 7/72-10/42 7/72-5/84 21/72-5/42 7/72-15/42 35/72-5/42 7/72-25/42 49/72-5/42 7/72-35/42