Solve |1/8-3/5

$$| \frac { 1 } { 8 } - \frac { 3 } { 5 }$$

Evaluate

$$\frac{19}{40}=0.475$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 8 and 5 is 40. Convert \frac{1}{8} and \frac{3}{5} to fractions with denominator 40.

$$|\frac{5}{40}-\frac{24}{40}|$$

Since \frac{5}{40} and \frac{24}{40} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$|\frac{5-24}{40}|$$

Subtract 24 from 5 to get -19.

$$|-\frac{19}{40}|$$

The absolute value of a real number a is a when a\geq 0, or -a when a<0. The absolute value of -\frac{19}{40} is \frac{19}{40}.

$$\frac{19}{40}$$

Factor

$$\frac{19}{2 ^ {3} \cdot 5} = 0.475$$