Solve 5/12-9/20

$$\frac{ 5 }{ 12 } - \frac{ 9 }{ 20 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{1}{30}\approx -0.033333333$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 12 and 20 is 60. Convert \frac{5}{12} and \frac{9}{20} to fractions with denominator 60.

$$\frac{25}{60}-\frac{27}{60}$$

Since \frac{25}{60} and \frac{27}{60} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{25-27}{60}$$

Subtract 27 from 25 to get -2.

$$\frac{-2}{60}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-2}{60} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$-\frac{1}{30}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{1}{30} = -0.03333333333333333$$