Solve 2/12-5/24-7/24

$$\frac { 2 } { 12 } - \frac { 5 } { 24 } - \frac { 7 } { 24 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{1}{3}\approx -0.333333333$$

Solution Steps

Reduce the fraction \frac{2}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$\frac{1}{6}-\frac{5}{24}-\frac{7}{24}$$

Least common multiple of 6 and 24 is 24. Convert \frac{1}{6} and \frac{5}{24} to fractions with denominator 24.

$$\frac{4}{24}-\frac{5}{24}-\frac{7}{24}$$

Since \frac{4}{24} and \frac{5}{24} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{4-5}{24}-\frac{7}{24}$$

Subtract 5 from 4 to get -1.

$$-\frac{1}{24}-\frac{7}{24}$$

Since -\frac{1}{24} and \frac{7}{24} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{-1-7}{24}$$

Subtract 7 from -1 to get -8.

$$\frac{-8}{24}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-8}{24} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 8.

$$-\frac{1}{3}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{1}{3} = -0.3333333333333333$$