Subtract 2/5 from 72/16
1st number: 4 8/16, 2nd number: 2/5
72/16 - 2/5 is 41/10.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 5 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
72/16 = 72 × 5/16 × 5 = 360/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 16 = 80,
2/5 = 2 × 16/5 × 16 = 32/80 - Subtract the two like fractions:
360/80 - 32/80 = 360 - 32/80 = 328/80 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 41/10
- In mixed form: 41/10
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/16-4/5 72/32-2/5 72/16-2/10 72/16-6/5 72/48-2/5 72/16-2/15 72/16-10/5 72/80-2/5 72/16-2/25 72/16-14/5 72/16-2/35