math help

What is 1/12 - 5/6?

What is 1/12 - 5/6?

Here's how to subtract 5/6 from 1/12:

1
12
5
6

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 6, and get 6.

Then we multiply 5 by 12, and get 60.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 12 × 6 = 72.

So now our fractions look like this:

6
72
60
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

6 − 60 = -54

So the answer is:

-54
72

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:

-54
72
÷ 2 =
-27
36

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:

-27
36
÷ 3 =
-9
12

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

-9
12
÷ 3 =
-3
4

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

No good. 5 is larger than -3. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
1
12
5
6
=
3
4