Subtract 56/16 from 72/84, Solve 72/84

Subtract 56/16 from 72/84

1^st number: 72/84, 2^nd number: 3 8/16

72/84 - 56/16 is -37/14.

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 16 is 336

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336
For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 4 = 336,
72/84 = 72 × 4/84 × 4 = 288/336
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
56/16 = 56 × 21/16 × 21 = 1176/336
Subtract the two like fractions:
288/336 - 1176/336 = 288 - 1176/336 = -888/336
After reducing the fraction, the answer is -37/14

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