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What is 64/16 - 6/11?

What is 64/16 - 6/11?

Here's how to subtract 6/11 from 64/16:

64
16
6
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 64 by 11, and get 704.

Then we multiply 6 by 16, and get 96.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 16 × 11 = 176.

So now our fractions look like this:

704
176
96
176

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

704 − 96 = 608

So the answer is:

608
176

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:

608
176
÷ 2 =
304
88

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

304
88
÷ 2 =
152
44

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

152
44
÷ 2 =
76
22

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

76
22
÷ 2 =
38
11

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
64
16
6
11
=
38
11