2/5 - 7/8 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 2/5 minus 7/8 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 2/5 - 7/8 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 2/5 minus 7/8 = -19/40
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 2/5 minus 7/8 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 2/5 and fraction 7/8 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) - (7/8 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 7/8 is 35/40. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 16/40 - 35/40, it becomes -19/40.

CALCULATION: 2/5 - 7/8 as a fraction
2/5 - 7/8 = (?)
2/5 - 7/8 = [(2 x 8) - (7 x 5)]/(5 x 8)
= (16 - 35)/40
= -19/40
2/5 - 7/8 = -19/40
2/5 minus 7/8 as a fraction is -19/40.

where
2/5 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
7/8 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
-19/40 is the difference between 2/5 and 7/8.

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2/5 minus 7/8 as a decimal
2/5 - 7/8 = -19/40
-19/40 = -0.475
(2/5) - (7/8) as a decimal is -0.475

where
-0.475 is the difference between 2/5 and 7/8.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 7/8 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 7/8.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(2/5) - (7/8) using LCM Method:
What is 2/5 minus 7/8 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 7/8

What to be found?
(2/5) - (7/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 7/8.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 2/5 and 7/8 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 2/5 and 7/8 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 7/8:
The LCM of 5 and 8 is 40.

step 4 Write the fractions 2/5 and 7/8 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 2/5 - 7/8
= [(2 x 40)/(5 x 40)] - [(7 x 40)/(8 x 40)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 16/40 - 35/40

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/40 x (16/1 - 35/1)
= 1/40 x (16 - 35)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/40 x -19
= -19/40
2/5 - 7/8 = -19/40

Hence,
2/5 minus 7/8 as a fraction is -19/40.

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2/5 - 7/8 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 7/8

What to be found?
(2/5)-(7/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 7/8.

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 (7 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) - (7 x 5)/(5 x 8)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (16 - 35)/40
2/5 - 7/8 = -19/40

Hence,
2/5 minus 7/8 in fraction is -19/40