3 - 3/8 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 3 minus 3/8 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 3 - 3/8 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 3 minus 3/8 = 21/8
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 3 minus 3/8 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 3 and fraction 3/8 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 1 and 8. 8 is the LCM of 1 and 8. Multiplying the LCM 8 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (3 x 8/8) - (3/8 x 8/8), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 3 is 24/8 and for 3/8 is 3/8. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 24/8 - 3/8, it becomes 21/8.

CALCULATION: 3 - 3/8 as a fraction
3 - 3/8 = (?)
3/1 - 3/8 = [(3 x 8) - (3 x 1)]/(1 x 8)
= (24 - 3)/8
= 21/8
3 - 3/8 = 21/8
3 minus 3/8 as a fraction is 21/8.

where
3 is a whole number as a minuend,
3/8 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
21/8 is the difference between 3 and 3/8.

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3 minus 3/8 as a decimal
3 - 3/8 = 21/8
21/8 = 2.625
(3) - (3/8) as a decimal is 2.625

where
2.625 is the difference between 3 and 3/8.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 3/8 from 3. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 3 minus 3/8.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(3) - (3/8) using LCM Method:
What is 3 minus 3/8 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/1
Fraction B: 3/8

What to be found?
(3) - (3/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3 and 3/8.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 3 and 3/8 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 3 and 3/8 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 3 and 3/8:
The LCM of 1 and 8 is 8.

step 4 Write the fractions 3 and 3/8 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 3 - 3/8
= [(3 x 8)/(1 x 8)] - [(3 x 8)/(8 x 8)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 24/8 - 3/8

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/8 x (24/1 - 3/1)
= 1/8 x (24 - 3)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/8 x 21
= 21/8
3 - 3/8 = 21/8

Hence,
3 minus 3/8 as a fraction is 21/8.

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3 - 3/8 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/1
Fraction B: 3/8

What to be found?
(3)-(3/8) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3 and 3/8.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (3 x 8), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (3 x 1), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (1 x 8) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (3 x 8) - (3 x 1)/(1 x 8)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (24 - 3)/8
3 - 3/8 = 21/8

Hence,
3 minus 3/8 in fraction is 21/8