Subtract 18/12 from 72/4
1st number: 18 0/4, 2nd number: 1 6/12
72/4 - 18/12 is 33/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 12 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 3 = 12,
72/4 = 72 × 3/4 × 3 = 216/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
18/12 = 18 × 1/12 × 1 = 18/12 - Subtract the two like fractions:
216/12 - 18/12 = 216 - 18/12 = 198/12 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 33/2
- In mixed form: 161/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/4-36/12 72/8-18/12 72/4-18/24 72/4-54/12 72/12-18/12 72/4-18/36 72/4-90/12 72/20-18/12 72/4-18/60 72/28-18/12 72/4-18/84