Solve 144*(1/4-5/12)

$$144 \times ( \frac{ 1 }{ 4 } - \frac{ 5 }{ 12 } )$$

Evaluate

$$-24$$

Solution Steps

Least common multiple of 4 and 12 is 12. Convert \frac{1}{4} and \frac{5}{12} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$144\left(\frac{3}{12}-\frac{5}{12}\right)$$

Since \frac{3}{12} and \frac{5}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$144\times \frac{3-5}{12}$$

Subtract 5 from 3 to get -2.

$$144\times \frac{-2}{12}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{-2}{12} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$144\left(-\frac{1}{6}\right)$$

Express 144\left(-\frac{1}{6}\right) as a single fraction.

$$\frac{144\left(-1\right)}{6}$$

Multiply 144 and -1 to get -144.

$$\frac{-144}{6}$$

Divide -144 by 6 to get -24.

$$-24$$

Factor

$$-24$$