Here's how to subtract 1/6 from 1/8:
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Step 1We 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 8, and get 8. Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 6 = 48. So now our fractions look like this:
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Step 2Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators. 6 − 8 = -2 So the answer is:
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Step 3Last 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:
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:
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