What is 80/2 - 3/12?

Here's how to subtract 3/12 from 80/2:

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 80 by 12, and get 960.

Then we multiply 3 by 2, and get 6.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 2 × 12 = 24.

So now our fractions look like this:

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

960 − 6 = 954

So the answer is:

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:

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:

Let's try dividing by 3 again...

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

No good. 5 is larger than 4. So we're done reducing.