Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 2/4 - 2/6 Step by Step

Question

Solve the following exercise:

2426=? \frac{2}{4}-\frac{2}{6}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:06 Let's start solving the problem.
00:09 First, we need to find the smallest common denominator.
00:13 Multiply one fraction by three and the other by two to match denominators.
00:18 Remember to multiply both the top and bottom numbers of the fractions.
00:26 Now, let's do the multiplications.
00:32 Subtract the numerators using the common denominator.
00:36 Calculate the result for the new numerator.
00:40 Simplify the fraction as much as possible.
00:44 Divide both the numerator and the denominator to reduce.
00:48 And this is how we solve the problem.

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem 2426\frac{2}{4} - \frac{2}{6}, let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find the least common denominator (LCD) for the fractions. The denominators are 4 and 6, and the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.
  • Step 2: Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 12.

First, convert 24\frac{2}{4}:

24=2×34×3=612\frac{2}{4} = \frac{2 \times 3}{4 \times 3} = \frac{6}{12}

Next, convert 26\frac{2}{6}:

26=2×26×2=412\frac{2}{6} = \frac{2 \times 2}{6 \times 2} = \frac{4}{12}

  • Step 3: Subtract the fractions with the common denominator.

612412=6412=212\frac{6}{12} - \frac{4}{12} = \frac{6 - 4}{12} = \frac{2}{12}

  • Step 4: Simplify the result, if possible.

212\frac{2}{12} simplifies to 16\frac{1}{6} by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 16\frac{1}{6}.

Answer

16 \frac{1}{6}