1/2 - 1/42 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 1/2 minus 1/42 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 1/2 - 1/42 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 1/2 minus 1/42 = 10/21
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 1/2 minus 1/42 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 1/2 and fraction 1/42 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 2 and 42. 42 is the LCM of 2 and 42. Multiplying the LCM 42 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (1/2 x 42/42) - (1/42 x 42/42), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 1/2 is 21/42 and for 1/42 is 1/42. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 21/42 - 1/42, it becomes 20/42.

Pie Chart Representation: 1/2 - 1/42 = 10/21

CALCULATION: 1/2 - 1/42 as a fraction
1/2 - 1/42 = (?)
1/2 - 1/42 = [(1 x 42) - (1 x 2)]/(2 x 42)
= (42 - 2)/84
= 40/84
= (4 x 10)/(4 x 21)
= 10/21
1/2 - 1/42 = 10/21
1/2 minus 1/42 as a fraction is 10/21.

where
1/2 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
1/42 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
10/21 is the difference between 1/2 and 1/42.

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1/2 minus 1/42 as a decimal
1/2 - 1/42 = 10/21
10/21 = 0.4762
(1/2) - (1/42) as a decimal is 0.4762

where
0.4762 is the difference between 1/2 and 1/42.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 1/42 from 1/2. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 1/2 minus 1/42.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(1/2) - (1/42) using LCM Method:
What is 1/2 minus 1/42 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/2
Fraction B: 1/42

What to be found?
(1/2) - (1/42) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/2 and 1/42.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 1/2 and 1/42 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 1/2 and 1/42 are not equal, it is said to be unlike fractions subtraction.

step 3For unlike fractions subtraction, find the LCM (least common multiple) of both denominators of fractions 1/2 and 1/42:
The LCM of 2 and 42 is 42.

step 4 Write the fractions 1/2 and 1/42 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 1/2 - 1/42
= [(1 x 42)/(2 x 42)] - [(1 x 42)/(42 x 42)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 21/42 - 1/42

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/42 x (21/1 - 1/1)
= 1/42 x (21 - 1)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/42 x 20
= 20/42
= 10/21
1/2 - 1/42 = 10/21

Hence,
1/2 minus 1/42 as a fraction is 10/21.

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1/2 - 1/42 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/2
Fraction B: 1/42

What to be found?
(1/2)-(1/42) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/2 and 1/42.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (1 x 42), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (1 x 2), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (2 x 42) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (1 x 42) - (1 x 2)/(2 x 42)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (42 - 2)/84
= 40/84
= 10/21
1/2 - 1/42 = 10/21

Hence,
1/2 minus 1/42 in fraction is 10/21