Subtract 5/18 from 72/42
1st number: 1 30/42, 2nd number: 5/18
72/42 - 5/18 is 181/126.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
72/42 = 72 × 3/42 × 3 = 216/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
5/18 = 5 × 7/18 × 7 = 35/126 - Subtract the two like fractions:
216/126 - 35/126 = 216 - 35/126 = 181/126 - In mixed form: 155/126
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/42-10/18 72/84-5/18 72/42-5/36 72/42-15/18 72/42-5/54 72/42-25/18 72/42-5/90 72/42-35/18