Subtract 5/8 from 72/18
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 5/8
72/18 - 5/8 is 27/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
72/18 = 72 × 4/18 × 4 = 288/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
5/8 = 5 × 9/8 × 9 = 45/72 - Subtract the two like fractions:
288/72 - 45/72 = 288 - 45/72 = 243/72 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 27/8
- In mixed form: 33/8
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/18-10/8 72/36-5/8 72/18-5/16 72/18-15/8 72/54-5/8 72/18-5/24 72/18-25/8 72/90-5/8 72/18-5/40 72/18-35/8 72/18-5/56