2/5 - 1/8 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 2/5 minus 1/8 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 2/5 - 1/8 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 2/5 minus 1/8 = 11/40
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 2/5 minus 1/8 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 2/5 and fraction 1/8 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 5 and 8. 40 is the LCM of 5 and 8. Multiplying the LCM 40 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (2/5 x 40/40) - (1/8 x 40/40), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 2/5 is 16/40 and for 1/8 is 5/40. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 16/40 - 5/40, it becomes 11/40.

Pie Chart Representation: 2/5 - 1/8 = 11/40

CALCULATION: 2/5 - 1/8 as a fraction
2/5 - 1/8 = (?)
2/5 - 1/8 = [(2 x 8) - (1 x 5)]/(5 x 8)
= (16 - 5)/40
= 11/40
2/5 - 1/8 = 11/40
2/5 minus 1/8 as a fraction is 11/40.

where
2/5 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
1/8 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
11/40 is the difference between 2/5 and 1/8.

---

2/5 minus 1/8 as a decimal
2/5 - 1/8 = 11/40
11/40 = 0.275
(2/5) - (1/8) as a decimal is 0.275

where
0.275 is the difference between 2/5 and 1/8.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 1/8 from 2/5. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 2/5 minus 1/8.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(2/5) - (1/8) using LCM Method:
What is 2/5 minus 1/8 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 1/8

What to be found?
(2/5) - (1/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 1/8.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 2/5 and 1/8 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 2/5 and 1/8 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 2/5 and 1/8:
The LCM of 5 and 8 is 40.

step 4 Write the fractions 2/5 and 1/8 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 2/5 - 1/8
= [(2 x 40)/(5 x 40)] - [(1 x 40)/(8 x 40)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 16/40 - 5/40

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/40 x (16/1 - 5/1)
= 1/40 x (16 - 5)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/40 x 11
= 11/40
2/5 - 1/8 = 11/40

Hence,
2/5 minus 1/8 as a fraction is 11/40.

---

2/5 - 1/8 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 1/8

What to be found?
(2/5)-(1/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 1/8.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (2 x 8), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (1 x 5), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (5 x 8) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (2 x 8) - (1 x 5)/(5 x 8)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (16 - 5)/40
2/5 - 1/8 = 11/40

Hence,
2/5 minus 1/8 in fraction is 11/40