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What is 2/8 - 5/12?

What is 2/8 - 5/12?

Here's how to subtract 5/12 from 2/8:

2
8
5
12

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 2 by 12, and get 24.

Then we multiply 5 by 8, and get 40.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 12 = 96.

So now our fractions look like this:

24
96
40
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

24 − 40 = -16

So the answer is:

-16
96

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
96
÷ 2 =
-8
48

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-8
48
÷ 2 =
-4
24

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-4
24
÷ 2 =
-2
12

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-2
12
÷ 2 =
-1
6

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:
2
8
5
12
=
1
6