Subtract 8/12 from 8/42
8/42 - 8/12 is -10/21.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 12 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
8/42 = 8 × 2/42 × 2 = 16/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
8/12 = 8 × 7/12 × 7 = 56/84 - Subtract the two like fractions:
16/84 - 56/84 = 16 - 56/84 = -40/84 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -10/21
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 16/42-8/12 8/42-16/12 8/84-8/12 8/42-8/24 24/42-8/12 8/42-24/12 8/42-8/36 40/42-8/12 8/42-40/12 8/42-8/60 56/42-8/12 8/42-56/12 8/42-8/84