Subtract 7/42 from 81/2
1st number: 40 1/2, 2nd number: 7/42
81/2 - 7/42 is 121/3.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 21 = 42,
81/2 = 81 × 21/2 × 21 = 1701/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
7/42 = 7 × 1/42 × 1 = 7/42 - Subtract the two like fractions:
1701/42 - 7/42 = 1701 - 7/42 = 1694/42 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 121/3
- In mixed form: 401/3
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 81/2-14/42 81/4-7/42 81/2-7/84 81/2-21/42 81/6-7/42 81/2-35/42 81/10-7/42 81/2-49/42 81/14-7/42