Subtract 42/16 from 9/4
1st number: 2 1/4, 2nd number: 2 10/16
9/4 - 42/16 is -3/8.
Steps for subtracting fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 16 is 16
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 16 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 4 = 16,
9/4 = 9 × 4/4 × 4 = 36/16 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 1 = 16,
42/16 = 42 × 1/16 × 1 = 42/16 - Subtract the two like fractions:
36/16 - 42/16 = 36 - 42/16 = -6/16 - After reducing the fraction, the answer is -3/8
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 18/4-42/16 9/4-84/16 9/8-42/16 9/4-42/32 27/4-42/16 9/12-42/16 9/4-42/48 45/4-42/16 9/20-42/16 9/4-42/80 63/4-42/16 9/28-42/16