math help

What is 5/100 - 3/6?

What is 5/100 - 3/6?

Here's how to subtract 3/6 from 5/100:

5
100
3
6

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 5 by 6, and get 30.

Then we multiply 3 by 100, and get 300.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 100 × 6 = 600.

So now our fractions look like this:

30
600
300
600

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

30 − 300 = -270

So the answer is:

-270
600

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:

-270
600
÷ 2 =
-135
300

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:

-135
300
÷ 3 =
-45
100

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

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

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 5? Yes! So we reduce it:

-45
100
÷ 5 =
-9
20

Let's try dividing by 5 again...

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

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

No good. 11 is larger than -9. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
5
100
3
6
=
9
20