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What is 100/72 - 6/9?

What is 100/72 - 6/9?

Here's how to subtract 6/9 from 100/72:

100
72
6
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 100 by 9, and get 900.

Then we multiply 6 by 72, and get 432.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 72 × 9 = 648.

So now our fractions look like this:

900
648
432
648

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

900 − 432 = 468

So the answer is:

468
648

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:

468
648
÷ 2 =
234
324

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

234
324
÷ 2 =
117
162

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:

117
162
÷ 3 =
39
54

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

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:
100
72
6
9
=
13
18