2/5 - 9/20 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 2/5 minus 9/20 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 2/5 - 9/20 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 2/5 minus 9/20 = -1/20
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 2/5 minus 9/20 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 2/5 and fraction 9/20 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 5 and 20. 20 is the LCM of 5 and 20. Multiplying the LCM 20 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (2/5 x 20/20) - (9/20 x 20/20), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 2/5 is 8/20 and for 9/20 is 9/20. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 8/20 - 9/20, it becomes -1/20.

CALCULATION: 2/5 - 9/20 as a fraction
2/5 - 9/20 = (?)
2/5 - 9/20 = [(2 x 20) - (9 x 5)]/(5 x 20)
= (40 - 45)/100
= -5/100
= (5 x -1)/(5 x 20)
= -1/20
2/5 - 9/20 = -1/20
2/5 minus 9/20 as a fraction is -1/20.

where
2/5 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
9/20 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
-1/20 is the difference between 2/5 and 9/20.

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2/5 minus 9/20 as a decimal
2/5 - 9/20 = -1/20
-1/20 = -0.05
(2/5) - (9/20) as a decimal is -0.05

where
-0.05 is the difference between 2/5 and 9/20.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 9/20 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 9/20.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(2/5) - (9/20) using LCM Method:
What is 2/5 minus 9/20 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 9/20

What to be found?
(2/5) - (9/20) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 9/20.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 2/5 and 9/20 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 2/5 and 9/20 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 9/20:
The LCM of 5 and 20 is 20.

step 4 Write the fractions 2/5 and 9/20 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 2/5 - 9/20
= [(2 x 20)/(5 x 20)] - [(9 x 20)/(20 x 20)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 8/20 - 9/20

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/20 x (8/1 - 9/1)
= 1/20 x (8 - 9)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/20 x -1
= -1/20
2/5 - 9/20 = -1/20

Hence,
2/5 minus 9/20 as a fraction is -1/20.

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2/5 - 9/20 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 2/5
Fraction B: 9/20

What to be found?
(2/5)-(9/20) = ?
Find what's the difference between 2/5 and 9/20.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (2 x 20), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (9 x 5), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (5 x 20) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (2 x 20) - (9 x 5)/(5 x 20)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (40 - 45)/100
= -5/100
= -1/20
2/5 - 9/20 = -1/20

Hence,
2/5 minus 9/20 in fraction is -1/20