Subtract 20/54 from 81/42
1st number: 1 39/42, 2nd number: 20/54
81/42 - 20/54 is 589/378.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 54 is 378
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 378 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 9 = 378,
81/42 = 81 × 9/42 × 9 = 729/378 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 54 × 7 = 378,
20/54 = 20 × 7/54 × 7 = 140/378 - Subtract the two like fractions:
729/378 - 140/378 = 729 - 140/378 = 589/378 - In mixed form: 1211/378
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 81/42-40/54 81/84-20/54 81/42-60/54