Solve 5/12-3/20

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

Evaluate

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

Solution Steps

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

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

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

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

Subtract 9 from 25 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

$$\frac{2 ^ {2}}{3 \cdot 5} = 0.26666666666666666$$