Solve 3/20-5/12

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

Evaluate

$$-\frac{4}{15}\approx -0.266666667$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 20 and 12 is 60. Convert \frac{3}{20} and \frac{5}{12} to fractions with denominator 60.

$$\frac{9}{60}-\frac{25}{60}$$

Since \frac{9}{60} and \frac{25}{60} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{9-25}{60}$$

Subtract 25 from 9 to get -16.

$$\frac{-16}{60}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-16}{60} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 4.

$$-\frac{4}{15}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{4}{15} = -0.26666666666666666$$