1/4 - 5/3 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 1/4 minus 5/3 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 1/4 - 5/3 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 1/4 minus 5/3 = -17/12
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 1/4 minus 5/3 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 1/4 and fraction 5/3 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 4 and 3. 12 is the LCM of 4 and 3. Multiplying the LCM 12 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (1/4 x 12/12) - (5/3 x 12/12), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 1/4 is 3/12 and for 5/3 is 20/12. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 3/12 - 20/12, it becomes -17/12.

CALCULATION: 1/4 - 5/3 as a fraction
1/4 - 5/3 = (?)
1/4 - 5/3 = [(1 x 3) - (5 x 4)]/(4 x 3)
= (3 - 20)/12
= -17/12
1/4 - 5/3 = -17/12
1/4 minus 5/3 as a fraction is -17/12.

where
1/4 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
5/3 is a improper fraction as a subtrahend,
-17/12 is the difference between 1/4 and 5/3.

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1/4 minus 5/3 as a decimal
1/4 - 5/3 = -17/12
-17/12 = -1.4167
(1/4) - (5/3) as a decimal is -1.4167

where
-1.4167 is the difference between 1/4 and 5/3.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 5/3 from 1/4. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 1/4 minus 5/3.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(1/4) - (5/3) using LCM Method:
What is 1/4 minus 5/3 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/4
Fraction B: 5/3

What to be found?
(1/4) - (5/3) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/4 and 5/3.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 1/4 and 5/3 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 1/4 and 5/3 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 1/4 and 5/3:
The LCM of 4 and 3 is 12.

step 4 Write the fractions 1/4 and 5/3 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 1/4 - 5/3
= [(1 x 12)/(4 x 12)] - [(5 x 12)/(3 x 12)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 3/12 - 20/12

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/12 x (3/1 - 20/1)
= 1/12 x (3 - 20)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/12 x -17
= -17/12
1/4 - 5/3 = -17/12

Hence,
1/4 minus 5/3 as a fraction is -17/12.

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1/4 - 5/3 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 1/4
Fraction B: 5/3

What to be found?
(1/4)-(5/3) = ?
Find what's the difference between 1/4 and 5/3.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (1 x 3), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (5 x 4), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (4 x 3) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (1 x 3) - (5 x 4)/(4 x 3)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (3 - 20)/12
1/4 - 5/3 = -17/12

Hence,
1/4 minus 5/3 in fraction is -17/12