7/8 - 2/5 as a fraction

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

Summary: 7/8 minus 2/5 = 19/40
Since both fractions have unequal denominators, 7/8 minus 2/5 is an unlike fractions subtraction. For subtracting unlike fractions, you have to first find the equivalent fractions for fraction 7/8 and fraction 2/5 in order to have the same denominators for both fractions. Therefore, you have to find the LCM of denominators 8 and 5. 40 is the LCM of 8 and 5. Multiplying the LCM 40 with the numerators and denominators of both fractions (7/8 x 40/40) - (2/5 x 40/40), and simplify further in order to have the common denominator. So the equivalent fraction for 7/8 is 35/40 and for 2/5 is 16/40. By simplifying this fraction subtraction 35/40 - 16/40, it becomes 19/40.

Pie Chart Representation: 7/8 - 2/5 = 19/40

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

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

---

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

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

The below workout with step by step calculation shows how to find what is the difference between two fractions by subtracting a fraction 2/5 from 7/8. For different, unequal or unlike denominators, use any one of the following methods to find the equivalent fraction for 7/8 minus 2/5.
1. LCM method
2. Cross multiplication method.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

step 2 Find the product of numerator of Fraction A and denominator of Fraction B (7 x 5), find the product of numerator of Fraction B and denominator of Fraction A (2 x 8), and find the product of both denominators of Fraction A and Fraction B (8 x 5) and rewrite the equation as like the below:
= (7 x 5) - (2 x 8)/(8 x 5)

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

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