Subtract 12/9 from 72/4
1st number: 18 0/4, 2nd number: 1 3/9
72/4 - 12/9 is 50/3.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 9 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
72/4 = 72 × 9/4 × 9 = 648/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
12/9 = 12 × 4/9 × 4 = 48/36 - Subtract the two like fractions:
648/36 - 48/36 = 648 - 48/36 = 600/36 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 50/3
- In mixed form: 162/3
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/4-24/9 72/8-12/9 72/4-12/18 72/4-36/9 72/12-12/9 72/4-12/27 72/4-60/9 72/20-12/9 72/4-12/45 72/4-84/9 72/28-12/9 72/4-12/63