3/8 - 7/16 as a fraction

Learn how to find what is 3/8 minus 7/16 in fraction form just in a few minutes. We have covered the easiest method to write 3/8 - 7/16 as a fraction and decimal.

Summary: 3/8 minus 7/16 = -1/16
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 3/8 minus 7/16 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 3/8 and fraction 7/16 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 8 and 16. 16 is the LCM of 8 and 16. Multiplying the LCM 16 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (3/8 x 16/16) - (7/16 x 16/16), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 3/8 is 6/16 and for 7/16 is 7/16. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 6/16 - 7/16, it becomes -1/16.

CALCULATION: 3/8 - 7/16 as a fraction
3/8 - 7/16 = (?)
3/8 - 7/16 = [(3 x 16) - (7 x 8)]/(8 x 16)
= (48 - 56)/128
= -8/128
= (8 x -1)/(8 x 16)
= -1/16
3/8 - 7/16 = -1/16
3/8 minus 7/16 as a fraction is -1/16.

where
3/8 is a proper fraction as a minuend,
7/16 is a proper fraction as a subtrahend,
-1/16 is the difference between 3/8 and 7/16.

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3/8 minus 7/16 as a decimal
3/8 - 7/16 = -1/16
-1/16 = -0.0625
(3/8) - (7/16) as a decimal is -0.0625

where
-0.0625 is the difference between 3/8 and 7/16.

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 7/16 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 7/16.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

(3/8) - (7/16) using LCM Method:
What is 3/8 minus 7/16 as a fraction?

step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/8
Fraction B: 7/16

What to be found?
(3/8) - (7/16) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3/8 and 7/16.

step 2 Compare the denominators of fractions 3/8 and 7/16 to identify whether it is a like or unlike fraction subtraction. Since the denominators of given fractions 3/8 and 7/16 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 7/16:
The LCM of 8 and 16 is 16.

step 4 Write the fractions 3/8 and 7/16 in the subtraction expression form and multiply LCM with all the numerators and denominators of both fractions.
= 3/8 - 7/16
= [(3 x 16)/(8 x 16)] - [(7 x 16)/(16 x 16)]

step 5 Simplify the expression to have common denominator:
= 6/16 - 7/16

step 6 Take the common values out and rewrite the above expression like the below:
= 1/16 x (6/1 - 7/1)
= 1/16 x (6 - 7)

step 7Simplify the above expression further:
= 1/16 x -1
= -1/16
3/8 - 7/16 = -1/16

Hence,
3/8 minus 7/16 as a fraction is -1/16.

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3/8 - 7/16 using Cross Multiplication Method:
step 1 Observe the input parameters and what to be found:
Input:
Fraction A: 3/8
Fraction B: 7/16

What to be found?
(3/8)-(7/16) = ?
Find what's the difference between 3/8 and 7/16.

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (3 x 16), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (7 x 8), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (8 x 16) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (3 x 16) - (7 x 8)/(8 x 16)

step 3 Simplify and rewrite the fraction:
= (48 - 56)/128
= -8/128
= -1/16
3/8 - 7/16 = -1/16

Hence,
3/8 minus 7/16 in fraction is -1/16