14.7k views
1 vote
8/12 - 3/6 equals what?

2 Answers

2 votes
2.25 because you have to divide
And you turn the fraction into decimals
User Dilbert
by
3.1k points
0 votes

Answer: 1/6

Step-by-step explanation: To subtract unlike fractions such as 8/12 - 3/6, our first task is to find a common denominator.

The common denominator of 12 and 6 is the least common multiple of 12 and 6 which is 12. Notice that our first fraction already has 12 in the denominator so it stays the same. To get 12 in the denominator of 3/6, we multiply the numerator and denominator by 2 to get 6/12 and we have 8/12 - 6/12.

Now we're subtracting like fractions so we simply subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.

8 - 6 is 2 and we have 2/12.

Now, it's a good habit of writing your final answer in lowest terms so we need to divide the numerator and denominator by 2 to get 1/6.

So 8/12 - 3/6 is 1/6 which is in lowest terms.

User Chrissy
by
3.5k points