Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 2/4 - 2/6 Step by Step

Question

Solve the following exercise:

2426=? \frac{2}{4}-\frac{2}{6}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:03 We want to find the smallest common denominator
00:06 Multiply by 3 and 2 respectively to find the common denominator
00:09 Make sure to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:20 Calculate the multiplications
00:26 Subtract with the common denominator
00:30 Calculate the numerator
00:34 Reduce the fraction as much as possible
00:38 Make sure to divide both numerator and denominator
00:42 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem 2426\frac{2}{4} - \frac{2}{6}, let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find the least common denominator (LCD) for the fractions. The denominators are 4 and 6, and the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.
  • Step 2: Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 12.

First, convert 24\frac{2}{4}:

24=2×34×3=612\frac{2}{4} = \frac{2 \times 3}{4 \times 3} = \frac{6}{12}

Next, convert 26\frac{2}{6}:

26=2×26×2=412\frac{2}{6} = \frac{2 \times 2}{6 \times 2} = \frac{4}{12}

  • Step 3: Subtract the fractions with the common denominator.

612412=6412=212\frac{6}{12} - \frac{4}{12} = \frac{6 - 4}{12} = \frac{2}{12}

  • Step 4: Simplify the result, if possible.

212\frac{2}{12} simplifies to 16\frac{1}{6} by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 16\frac{1}{6}.

Answer

16 \frac{1}{6}