Subtract 18/40 from 72/5
1st number: 14 2/5, 2nd number: 18/40
72/5 - 18/40 is 279/20.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 8 = 40,
72/5 = 72 × 8/5 × 8 = 576/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
18/40 = 18 × 1/40 × 1 = 18/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
576/40 - 18/40 = 576 - 18/40 = 558/40 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 279/20
- In mixed form: 1319/20
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/5-36/40 72/10-18/40 72/5-18/80 72/5-54/40 72/15-18/40 72/5-90/40 72/25-18/40 72/35-18/40