Question

Perform the indicated operation. Write all results in lowest terms. $$\frac{3}{8}-\frac{1}{4}$$

Short answer

Question: Subtract the given fractions and simplify the result: $$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{4}$$. Answer: $$\frac{1}{8}$$.

Step-by-step solution

Find the common denominator

Identify the least common multiple (LCM) of the two denominators 8 and 4. In this case, the LCM of 8 and 4 is 8. Thus, the common denominator is 8.

Rewrite the fractions with the common denominator

Rewrite each fraction using the common denominator calculated in step 1. The first fraction is already in terms of the common denominator, so we don't need to change it: $$\frac{3}{8}$$. For the second fraction, multiply the numerator and denominator by 2 to get the common denominator: $$\frac{1}{4} \times \frac{2}{2} = \frac{2}{8}$$.

Perform the subtraction

Now that the fractions share the common denominator, you can subtract the numerators while keeping the common denominator: $$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{2}{8} = \frac{3-2}{8} = \frac{1}{8}$$.

Write the result in lowest terms

After subtraction, the result is already in lowest terms: $$\frac{1}{8}$$. There are no common factors between the numerator and the denominator except for 1. Thus, the final answer is: $$\frac{1}{8}$$.