The solution to 16/32-2/9 is 5/18

simplify 16/32-2/9

Solution

simplify

\frac{16}{32} - \frac{2}{9}

\frac{5}{18}

Decimal

0.27777 \dots

Solution steps

\frac{16}{32} - \frac{2}{9}

Cancel

\frac{16}{32} : \frac{1}{2}

\frac{16}{32}

Cancel the numbers:

\frac{16}{32} = \frac{1}{2}

= \frac{1}{2}

= \frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{9}

\frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{9} = \frac{5}{18}

\frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{9}

Least Common Multiplier of

2, 9 : 18

2, 9

Least Common Multiplier (LCM)

Prime factorization of

2 : 2

2

2

is a prime number, therefore no factorization is possible

= 2

Prime factorization of

9 : 3 \cdot 3

9

9

divides by

39 = 3 \cdot 3

= 3 \cdot 3

Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either

2

9

= 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3

Multiply the numbers:

2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 = 18

= 18

Adjust Fractions based on the LCM

Multiply each numerator by the same amount needed to multiply its

corresponding denominator to turn it into the LCM

18

For

\frac{1}{2} :

multiply the denominator and numerator by

9

\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \cdot 9}{2 \cdot 9} = \frac{9}{18}

For

\frac{2}{9} :

multiply the denominator and numerator by

2

\frac{2}{9} = \frac{2 \cdot 2}{9 \cdot 2} = \frac{4}{18}

= \frac{9}{18} - \frac{4}{18}

Apply the fraction rule:

\frac{a}{c} - \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a - b}{c}

= \frac{9 - 4}{18}

Subtract the numbers:

9 - 4 = 5

= \frac{5}{18}

= \frac{5}{18}