math help

What is 1/10 - 2/4?

What is 1/10 - 2/4?

Here's how to subtract 2/4 from 1/10:

1
10
2
4

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 1 by 4, and get 4.

Then we multiply 2 by 10, and get 20.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 10 × 4 = 40.

So now our fractions look like this:

4
40
20
40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

4 − 20 = -16

So the answer is:

-16
40

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:

-16
40
÷ 2 =
-8
20

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-8
20
÷ 2 =
-4
10

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-4
10
÷ 2 =
-2
5

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

No good. 3 is larger than -2. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
1
10
2
4
=
2
5