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What is 60/48 - 4/10?

What is 60/48 - 4/10?

Here's how to subtract 4/10 from 60/48:

60
48
4
10

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 60 by 10, and get 600.

Then we multiply 4 by 48, and get 192.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 48 × 10 = 480.

So now our fractions look like this:

600
480
192
480

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

600 − 192 = 408

So the answer is:

408
480

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:

408
480
÷ 2 =
204
240

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

204
240
÷ 2 =
102
120

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

102
120
÷ 2 =
51
60

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:

51
60
÷ 3 =
17
20

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...

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...

No good. 19 is larger than 17. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
60
48
4
10
=
17
20