Subtract 3/18 from 72/27
1st number: 2 18/27, 2nd number: 3/18
72/27 - 3/18 is 5/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 27 and 18 is 54
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 54 - For the 1st fraction, since 27 × 2 = 54,
72/27 = 72 × 2/27 × 2 = 144/54 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 3 = 54,
3/18 = 3 × 3/18 × 3 = 9/54 - Subtract the two like fractions:
144/54 - 9/54 = 144 - 9/54 = 135/54 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 5/2
- In mixed form: 21/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/27-6/18 72/54-3/18 72/27-3/36 72/27-9/18 72/81-3/18 72/27-3/54 72/27-15/18 72/27-3/90 72/27-21/18