math help

What is 64/17 - 3/9?

What is 64/17 - 3/9?

Here's how to subtract 3/9 from 64/17:

64
17
3
9

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 9, and get 576.

Then we multiply 3 by 17, and get 51.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 17 × 9 = 153.

So now our fractions look like this:

576
153
51
153

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

576 − 51 = 525

So the answer is:

525
153

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...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it:

525
153
÷ 3 =
175
51

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...

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...

No good. 53 is larger than 51. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
64
17
3
9
=
175
51