math help

What is 1/5 - 1/6?

What is 1/5 - 1/6?

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

1
5
1
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 1 by 5, and get 5.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 5 × 6 = 30.

So now our fractions look like this:

6
30
5
30

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

6 − 5 = 1

So the answer is:

1
30

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...

No good. 2 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
1
5
1
6
=
1
30