math help

What is 6/8 - 1/4?

What is 6/8 - 1/4?

Here's how to subtract 1/4 from 6/8:

6
8
1
4

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 6 by 4, and get 24.

Then we multiply 1 by 8, and get 8.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 4 = 32.

So now our fractions look like this:

24
32
8
32

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

24 − 8 = 16

So the answer is:

16
32

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:

16
32
÷ 2 =
8
16

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

8
16
÷ 2 =
4
8

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

4
8
÷ 2 =
2
4

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

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

2
4
÷ 2 =
1
2

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

No good. 2 is larger than 1. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
6
8
1
4
=
1
2