Solve 12*(2/15-7/20)

$$12 \times ( \frac { 2 } { 15 } - \frac { 7 } { 20 } )$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{13}{5}=-2.6$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 15 and 20 is 60. Convert \frac{2}{15} and \frac{7}{20} to fractions with denominator 60.

$$12\left(\frac{8}{60}-\frac{21}{60}\right)$$

Since \frac{8}{60} and \frac{21}{60} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$12\times \frac{8-21}{60}$$

Subtract 21 from 8 to get -13.

$$12\left(-\frac{13}{60}\right)$$

Express 12\left(-\frac{13}{60}\right) as a single fraction.

$$\frac{12\left(-13\right)}{60}$$

Multiply 12 and -13 to get -156.

$$\frac{-156}{60}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-156}{60} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 12.

$$-\frac{13}{5}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{13}{5} = -2\frac{3}{5} = -2.6$$