Question

Find the difference. $$\frac{5}{12}-\frac{3}{16}$$

Short answer

The difference between the two fractions is \(\frac{11}{48}\).

Step-by-step solution

Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD)

The LCD of the denominators 12 and 16 can be found by finding the least common multiple (LCM). The LCM of 12 and 16 is 48.

Convert Fractions into Equivalent Fractions

To get the equivalent fractions with denominator as 48, multiply both the numerator and the denominator of first fraction \(\frac{5}{12}\) by 4 and second fraction \(\frac{3}{16}\) by 3. We get the two fractions as \(\frac{5*4}{12*4} = \frac{20}{48}\) and \(\frac{3*3}{16*3} = \frac{9}{48}\).

Subtract the Two Fractions

Now that we have equivalent fractions with same denominators, we can subtract them. The difference between the two fractions is \(\frac{20}{48} - \frac{9}{48} = \frac{11}{48}\).