Question

What is 5/12 minus 3/20

Answer 1

`(5)/(12) - (3)/(20)`

First, find the LCD of the two fractions.
Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60.
Multiples of 20: 20, 40, 60
The LCD is 60.
Second, change the denominators to be the same as the LCD.

`(5x5)/(12x5) - (3x3)/(20x3)`
Third, 5 × 5 = 25 / 12 × 5 = 60 / 3 × 3 = 9 / 20 × 3 = 60

`(25)/(60) - (9)/(60)`
Fourth, combine the denominators.

`(25-9)/(60)`
Fifth, subtract 25 - 9 to get 16.

`(16)/(60)`
Sixth, find the GCF of 16 and 60.
The GCF is 4.
Seventh, divide the numerator by the GCF.

`16` ÷
`4 = 4`
Eighth, divide the denominator by the GCF.

`60` ÷
`4 = 15`
Ninth, rewrite the fraction in simplest form.

`(4)/(15)`

Answer as fraction:
`(4)/(15)`
Answer as decimal: 0.2667