Subtract 3/8 from 72/5
1st number: 14 2/5, 2nd number: 3/8
72/5 - 3/8 is 561/40.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 8 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 8 × 5 = 40,
3/8 = 3 × 5/8 × 5 = 15/40 - Subtract the two like fractions:
576/40 - 15/40 = 576 - 15/40 = 561/40 - In mixed form: 141/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 72/5-6/8 72/10-3/8 72/5-3/16 72/5-9/8 72/15-3/8 72/5-3/24 72/5-15/8 72/25-3/8 72/5-3/40 72/5-21/8 72/35-3/8 72/5-3/56