Subtract 12/20 from 72/4
1st number: 18 0/4, 2nd number: 12/20
72/4 - 12/20 is 87/5.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 20 is 20
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 20 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 5 = 20,
72/4 = 72 × 5/4 × 5 = 360/20 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 1 = 20,
12/20 = 12 × 1/20 × 1 = 12/20 - Subtract the two like fractions:
360/20 - 12/20 = 360 - 12/20 = 348/20 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 87/5
- In mixed form: 172/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/4-24/20 72/8-12/20 72/4-12/40 72/4-36/20 72/12-12/20 72/4-12/60 72/4-60/20 72/20-12/20 72/4-84/20 72/28-12/20