3/8 - 5/12 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 3/8 minus 5/12 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 3/8 - 5/12 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 3/8 minus 5/12 = -1/24
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 3/8 minus 5/12 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 3/8 and fraction 5/12 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 8 and 12. 24 is the LCM of 8 and 12. Multiplying the LCM 24 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (3/8 x 24/24) - (5/12 x 24/24), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 3/8 is 9/24 and for 5/12 is 10/24. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 9/24 - 10/24, it becomes -1/24.

CALCULATION: 3/8 - 5/12 as a fraction
3/8 - 5/12 = (?)
3/8 - 5/12 = [(3 x 12) - (5 x 8)]/(8 x 12)
= (36 - 40)/96
= -4/96
= (4 x -1)/(4 x 24)
= -1/24
3/8 - 5/12 = -1/24
3/8 minus 5/12 as a fraction is -1/24.

where
3/8 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
5/12 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
-1/24 is the difference between 3/8 and 5/12.

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3/8 minus 5/12 as a decimal
3/8 - 5/12 = -1/24
-1/24 = -0.0417
(3/8) - (5/12) as a decimal is -0.0417

where
-0.0417 is the difference between 3/8 and 5/12.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 5/12 from 3/8. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 3/8 minus 5/12.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(3/8) - (5/12) using LCM Method:
What is 3/8 minus 5/12 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/8
Fraction B: 5/12

What to be found?
(3/8) - (5/12) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3/8 and 5/12.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 3/8 and 5/12 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 3/8 and 5/12 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 3/8 and 5/12:
The LCM of 8 and 12 is 24.

step 4 Write the fractions 3/8 and 5/12 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 3/8 - 5/12
= [(3 x 24)/(8 x 24)] - [(5 x 24)/(12 x 24)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 9/24 - 10/24

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/24 x (9/1 - 10/1)
= 1/24 x (9 - 10)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/24 x -1
= -1/24
3/8 - 5/12 = -1/24

Hence,
3/8 minus 5/12 as a fraction is -1/24.

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3/8 - 5/12 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/8
Fraction B: 5/12

What to be found?
(3/8)-(5/12) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3/8 and 5/12.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (3 x 12), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (5 x 8), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (8 x 12) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (3 x 12) - (5 x 8)/(8 x 12)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (36 - 40)/96
= -4/96
= -1/24
3/8 - 5/12 = -1/24

Hence,
3/8 minus 5/12 in fraction is -1/24