math help

What is 3/8 - 5/12?

What is 3/8 - 5/12?

Here's how to subtract 5/12 from 3/8:

3
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 3 by 12, and get 36.

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:

36
96
40
96

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

36 − 40 = -4

So the answer is:

-4
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:

-4
96
÷ 2 =
-2
48

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-2
48
÷ 2 =
-1
24

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:
3
8
5
12
=
1
24