math help

What is 8/12 - 3/5?

What is 8/12 - 3/5?

Here's how to subtract 3/5 from 8/12:

8
12
3
5

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 8 by 5, and get 40.

Then we multiply 3 by 12, and get 36.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 12 × 5 = 60.

So now our fractions look like this:

40
60
36
60

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

40 − 36 = 4

So the answer is:

4
60

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:

4
60
÷ 2 =
2
30

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

2
30
÷ 2 =
1
15

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:
8
12
3
5
=
1
15