Question

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

Short answer

The result after subtracting the fractions is \(\frac{3}{10}\).

Step-by-step solution

Find a Common Denominator

The denominators in these fractions are 5 and 10. The least common multiple (LCM) of 5 and 10 is 10. Thus, 10 will be the common denominator.

Rewrite the Fractions with the Common Denominator

The first fraction doesn't have 10 as its denominator, so it needs to be multiplied by 2 in order to have 10 in the denominator. This gives: \((\frac{2}{5}*\frac{2}{2})-\frac{1}{10}\) which simplifies to \(\frac{4}{10}-\frac{1}{10}\). The second fraction already has 10 in the denominator, so it can be left as is.

Subtract the Fractions

Now the numerators can be subtracted: \(\frac{4}{10}-\frac{1}{10}=\frac{3}{10}\)