math help

What is 7/16 - 3/8?

What is 7/16 - 3/8?

Here's how to subtract 3/8 from 7/16:

7
16
3
8

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 7 by 8, and get 56.

Then we multiply 3 by 16, and get 48.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 16 × 8 = 128.

So now our fractions look like this:

56
128
48
128

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

56 − 48 = 8

So the answer is:

8
128

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:

8
128
÷ 2 =
4
64

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

4
64
÷ 2 =
2
32

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

2
32
÷ 2 =
1
16

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:
7
16
3
8
=
1
16