Subtract 18/36 from 84/42
1st number: 2 0/42, 2nd number: 18/36
84/42 - 18/36 is 3/2.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
84/42 = 84 × 6/42 × 6 = 504/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
18/36 = 18 × 7/36 × 7 = 126/252 - Subtract the two like fractions:
504/252 - 126/252 = 504 - 126/252 = 378/252 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is 3/2
- In mixed form: 11/2
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/42-18/72 84/42-54/36 84/42-90/36