math help

What is 4/7 - 8/12?

What is 4/7 - 8/12?

Here's how to subtract 8/12 from 4/7:

4
7
8
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 4 by 12, and get 48.

Then we multiply 8 by 7, and get 56.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 7 × 12 = 84.

So now our fractions look like this:

48
84
56
84

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

48 − 56 = -8

So the answer is:

-8
84

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:

-8
84
÷ 2 =
-4
42

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

-4
42
÷ 2 =
-2
21

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

No good. 3 is larger than -2. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
4
7
8
12
=
2
21