Solve 1/12-1/20

$$\frac { 1 } { 12 } - \frac { 1 } { 20 }$$

Evaluate

$$\frac{1}{30}\approx 0.033333333$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 12 and 20 is 60. Convert \frac{1}{12} and \frac{1}{20} to fractions with denominator 60.

$$\frac{5}{60}-\frac{3}{60}$$

Since \frac{5}{60} and \frac{3}{60} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{5-3}{60}$$

Subtract 3 from 5 to get 2.

$$\frac{2}{60}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{2}{60} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$\frac{1}{30}$$

Factor

$$\frac{1}{2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5} = 0.03333333333333333$$