2/5 - 7/12 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 2/5 minus 7/12 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 2/5 - 7/12 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 2/5 minus 7/12 = -11/60
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 2/5 minus 7/12 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 2/5 and fraction 7/12 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 5 and 12. 60 is the LCM of 5 and 12. Multiplying the LCM 60 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (2/5 x 60/60) - (7/12 x 60/60), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 2/5 is 24/60 and for 7/12 is 35/60. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 24/60 - 35/60, it becomes -11/60.

CALCULATION: 2/5 - 7/12 as a fraction
2/5 - 7/12 = (?)
2/5 - 7/12 = [(2 x 12) - (7 x 5)]/(5 x 12)
= (24 - 35)/60
= -11/60
2/5 - 7/12 = -11/60
2/5 minus 7/12 as a fraction is -11/60.

where
2/5 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
7/12 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
-11/60 is the difference between 2/5 and 7/12.

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2/5 minus 7/12 as a decimal
2/5 - 7/12 = -11/60
-11/60 = -0.1833
(2/5) - (7/12) as a decimal is -0.1833

where
-0.1833 is the difference between 2/5 and 7/12.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 7/12 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 7/12.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(2/5) - (7/12) using LCM Method:
What is 2/5 minus 7/12 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 7/12

What to be found?
(2/5) - (7/12) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 7/12.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 2/5 and 7/12 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 2/5 and 7/12 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 7/12:
The LCM of 5 and 12 is 60.

step 4 Write the fractions 2/5 and 7/12 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 2/5 - 7/12
= [(2 x 60)/(5 x 60)] - [(7 x 60)/(12 x 60)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 24/60 - 35/60

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/60 x (24/1 - 35/1)
= 1/60 x (24 - 35)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/60 x -11
= -11/60
2/5 - 7/12 = -11/60

Hence,
2/5 minus 7/12 as a fraction is -11/60.

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2/5 - 7/12 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 7/12

What to be found?
(2/5)-(7/12) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 7/12.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (2 x 12), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (7 x 5), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (5 x 12) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (2 x 12) - (7 x 5)/(5 x 12)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (24 - 35)/60
2/5 - 7/12 = -11/60

Hence,
2/5 minus 7/12 in fraction is -11/60