Subtract 40/16 from 72/12
1st number: 6 0/12, 2nd number: 2 8/16
72/12 - 40/16 is 7/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
72/12 = 72 × 4/12 × 4 = 288/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
40/16 = 40 × 3/16 × 3 = 120/48 - Subtract the two like fractions:
288/48 - 120/48 = 288 - 120/48 = 168/48 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 7/2
- In mixed form: 31/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/12-80/16 72/24-40/16 72/12-40/32 72/36-40/16 72/12-40/48 72/60-40/16 72/12-40/80 72/84-40/16