Answer:
0.25
Explanation:
Subtract: 2/3 - 5/12 = 2 · 4/3 · 4 - 5/12 = 8/12 - 5/12 = 8 - 5/12 = 3/12 = 3 · 1/3 · 4 = 1/4
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions.
The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(3, 12) = 12.
It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 12 = 36. In the following intermediate step, cancel by a common factor of 3 gives 1/4. In other words
- two thirds minus five twelfths is one quarter.