Question

What is 5/12 minus 3/20

Answer 1

$\frac{5}{12} - \frac{3}{20}$

First, find the LCD of the two fractions.
Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60.
Multiples of 20: 20, 40, 60
The LCD is 60.
Second, change the denominators to be the same as the LCD.
$\frac{5x5}{12x5} - \frac{3x3}{20x3}$
Third, 5 × 5 = 25 / 12 × 5 = 60 / 3 × 3 = 9 / 20 × 3 = 60
$\frac{25}{60} - \frac{9}{60}$
Fourth, combine the denominators.
$\frac{25-9}{60}$
Fifth, subtract 25 - 9 to get 16.
$\frac{16}{60}$
Sixth, find the GCF of 16 and 60.
The GCF is 4.
Seventh, divide the numerator by the GCF.
$16$ ÷ $4 = 4$
Eighth, divide the denominator by the GCF.
$60$ ÷ $4 = 15$
Ninth, rewrite the fraction in simplest form.
$\frac{4}{15}$

Answer as fraction: $\frac{4}{15}$
Answer as decimal: 0.2667