Subtract 3/14 from 72/42
1st number: 1 30/42, 2nd number: 3/14
72/42 - 3/14 is 3/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 14 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
72/42 = 72 × 1/42 × 1 = 72/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 14 × 3 = 42,
3/14 = 3 × 3/14 × 3 = 9/42 - Subtract the two like fractions:
72/42 - 9/42 = 72 - 9/42 = 63/42 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 3/2
- In mixed form: 11/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/42-6/14 72/84-3/14 72/42-3/28 72/42-9/14 72/42-3/42 72/42-15/14 72/42-3/70 72/42-21/14 72/42-3/98