math help

What is 2/8 - 6/9?

What is 2/8 - 6/9?

Here's how to subtract 6/9 from 2/8:

2
8
6
9

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 9, and get 18.

Then we multiply 6 by 8, and get 48.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 9 = 72.

So now our fractions look like this:

18
72
48
72

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

18 − 48 = -30

So the answer is:

-30
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:

-30
72
÷ 2 =
-15
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:

-15
36
÷ 3 =
-5
12

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

No good. 7 is larger than -5. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
2
8
6
9
=
5
12