Subtract 12/9 from 72/21
1st number: 3 9/21, 2nd number: 1 3/9
72/21 - 12/9 is 44/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 9 is 63
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 63 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 3 = 63,
72/21 = 72 × 3/21 × 3 = 216/63 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 7 = 63,
12/9 = 12 × 7/9 × 7 = 84/63 - Subtract the two like fractions:
216/63 - 84/63 = 216 - 84/63 = 132/63 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 44/21
- In mixed form: 22/21
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/21-24/9 72/42-12/9 72/21-12/18 72/21-36/9 72/63-12/9 72/21-12/27 72/21-60/9 72/21-12/45 72/21-84/9 72/21-12/63