math help

What is 4/8 - 2/12?

What is 4/8 - 2/12?

Here's how to subtract 2/12 from 4/8:

4
8
2
12

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 4 by 12, and get 48.

Then we multiply 2 by 8, and get 16.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 12 = 96.

So now our fractions look like this:

48
96
16
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

48 − 16 = 32

So the answer is:

32
96

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:

32
96
÷ 2 =
16
48

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

16
48
÷ 2 =
8
24

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

8
24
÷ 2 =
4
12

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

4
12
÷ 2 =
2
6

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

2
6
÷ 2 =
1
3

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

No good. 2 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
4
8
2
12
=
1
3