Solve 1/4-1/2-1/12

$$\frac{ 1 }{ 4 } - \frac{ 1 }{ 2 } - \frac{ 1 }{ 12 }$$

Evaluate

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

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 4 and 2 is 4. Convert \frac{1}{4} and \frac{1}{2} to fractions with denominator 4.

$$\frac{1}{4}-\frac{2}{4}-\frac{1}{12}$$

Since \frac{1}{4} and \frac{2}{4} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{1-2}{4}-\frac{1}{12}$$

Subtract 2 from 1 to get -1.

$$-\frac{1}{4}-\frac{1}{12}$$

Least common multiple of 4 and 12 is 12. Convert -\frac{1}{4} and \frac{1}{12} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$-\frac{3}{12}-\frac{1}{12}$$

Since -\frac{3}{12} and \frac{1}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{-3-1}{12}$$

Subtract 1 from -3 to get -4.

$$\frac{-4}{12}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-4}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 4.

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

Factor

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