math help

What is 40/41 - 4/11?

What is 40/41 - 4/11?

Here's how to subtract 4/11 from 40/41:

40
41
4
11

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 40 by 11, and get 440.

Then we multiply 4 by 41, and get 164.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 41 × 11 = 451.

So now our fractions look like this:

440
451
164
451

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

440 − 164 = 276

So the answer is:

276
451

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...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

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

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

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 41...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 43...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 47...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 53...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 59...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 61...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 67...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 71...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 73...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 79...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 83...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 89...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 97...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 101...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 103...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 107...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 109...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 113...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 127...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 131...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 137...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 139...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 149...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 151...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 157...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 163...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 167...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 173...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 179...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 181...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 191...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 193...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 197...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 199...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 211...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 223...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 227...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 229...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 233...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 239...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 241...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 251...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 257...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 263...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 269...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 271...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 277...

No good. 277 is larger than 276. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
40
41
4
11
=
276
451