Question

$$ \frac{2}{5}-\frac{1}{10} $$

Short answer

The result of \( \frac{2}{5} - \frac{1}{10} \) is \( \frac{3}{10} \)

Step-by-step solution

Find the common denominator

The first step involves identifying the common denominator of the two fractions. In this problem, the denominators are 5 and 10. The common denominator is found by selecting the lowest common multiple of the two numbers, which in this case is 10. Hence \( \frac{2}{5} \) becomes \( \frac{2*2}{5*2} = \frac{4}{10} \) to match the denominator of \( \frac{1}{10} \)

Subtract fractions

The next step is then to subtract the fractions. Now that they have the same denominator the fraction \( \frac{4}{10} - \frac{1}{10} \) can be calculated which results in \( \frac{3}{10} \)

Simplify the result (if needed)

In this case, the resulting algebraic fraction \( \frac{3}{10} \) is already in its simplest form, and no further simplification is necessary.