Subtract 2/9 from 72/16
1st number: 4 8/16, 2nd number: 2/9
72/16 - 2/9 is 77/18.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 9 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
72/16 = 72 × 9/16 × 9 = 648/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
2/9 = 2 × 16/9 × 16 = 32/144 - Subtract the two like fractions:
648/144 - 32/144 = 648 - 32/144 = 616/144 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 77/18
- In mixed form: 45/18
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/16-4/9 72/32-2/9 72/16-2/18 72/16-6/9 72/48-2/9 72/16-2/27 72/16-10/9 72/80-2/9 72/16-2/45 72/16-14/9 72/16-2/63