Solve 1/5-7/12

$$\frac { 1 } { 5 } - \frac { 7 } { 12 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{23}{60}\approx -0.383333333$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 5 and 12 is 60. Convert \frac{1}{5} and \frac{7}{12} to fractions with denominator 60.

$$\frac{12}{60}-\frac{35}{60}$$

Since \frac{12}{60} and \frac{35}{60} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{12-35}{60}$$

Subtract 35 from 12 to get -23.

$$-\frac{23}{60}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{23}{60} = -0.38333333333333336$$