math help

What is 10/12 - 1/9?

What is 10/12 - 1/9?

Here's how to subtract 1/9 from 10/12:

10
12
1
9

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 10 by 9, and get 90.

Then we multiply 1 by 12, and get 12.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 12 × 9 = 108.

So now our fractions look like this:

90
108
12
108

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

90 − 12 = 78

So the answer is:

78
108

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

78
108
÷ 2 =
39
54

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

39
54
÷ 3 =
13
18

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

No good. 17 is larger than 13. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
10
12
1
9
=
13
18