1/2 - 3/16 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 1/2 minus 3/16 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 1/2 - 3/16 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 1/2 minus 3/16 = 5/16
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 1/2 minus 3/16 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 1/2 and fraction 3/16 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 2 and 16. 16 is the LCM of 2 and 16. Multiplying the LCM 16 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (1/2 x 16/16) - (3/16 x 16/16), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 1/2 is 8/16 and for 3/16 is 3/16. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 8/16 - 3/16, it becomes 5/16.

Pie Chart Representation: 1/2 - 3/16 = 5/16

CALCULATION: 1/2 - 3/16 as a fraction
1/2 - 3/16 = (?)
1/2 - 3/16 = [(1 x 16) - (3 x 2)]/(2 x 16)
= (16 - 6)/32
= 10/32
= (2 x 5)/(2 x 16)
= 5/16
1/2 - 3/16 = 5/16
1/2 minus 3/16 as a fraction is 5/16.

where
1/2 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
3/16 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
5/16 is the difference between 1/2 and 3/16.

---

1/2 minus 3/16 as a decimal
1/2 - 3/16 = 5/16
5/16 = 0.3125
(1/2) - (3/16) as a decimal is 0.3125

where
0.3125 is the difference between 1/2 and 3/16.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 3/16 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 3/16.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(1/2) - (3/16) using LCM Method:
What is 1/2 minus 3/16 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/2
Fraction B: 3/16

What to be found?
(1/2) - (3/16) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/2 and 3/16.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 1/2 and 3/16 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 1/2 and 3/16 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 3/16:
The LCM of 2 and 16 is 16.

step 4 Write the fractions 1/2 and 3/16 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 1/2 - 3/16
= [(1 x 16)/(2 x 16)] - [(3 x 16)/(16 x 16)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 8/16 - 3/16

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/16 x (8/1 - 3/1)
= 1/16 x (8 - 3)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/16 x 5
= 5/16
1/2 - 3/16 = 5/16

Hence,
1/2 minus 3/16 as a fraction is 5/16.

---

1/2 - 3/16 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/2
Fraction B: 3/16

What to be found?
(1/2)-(3/16) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/2 and 3/16.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (1 x 16), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (3 x 2), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (2 x 16) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (1 x 16) - (3 x 2)/(2 x 16)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (16 - 6)/32
= 10/32
= 5/16
1/2 - 3/16 = 5/16

Hence,
1/2 minus 3/16 in fraction is 5/16