Simplifying Fractions: 1/9 - 1/36
In this article, we will explore how to simplify the subtraction of two fractions, specifically 1/9 - 1/36.
Understanding the Problem
Before we dive into the solution, let's take a closer look at the problem. We are given two fractions:
- 1/9
- 1/36
Our task is to subtract the second fraction from the first one.
Finding the Common Denominator
To subtract these fractions, we need to find a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of 9 and 36 is 36. Therefore, we can rewrite the first fraction with a denominator of 36:
- 1/9 = 4/36 (multiply numerator and denominator by 4)
Now we can rewrite the problem as:
4/36 - 1/36
Subtracting the Fractions
To subtract the fractions, we subtract the numerators (numbers on top) and keep the denominator (number on the bottom) the same:
(4 - 1) / 36 = 3 / 36
Simplifying the Result
We can simplify the result by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 3:
3 ÷ 3 = 1 36 ÷ 3 = 12
Therefore, the simplified result is:
1/12
Conclusion
In conclusion, the subtraction of 1/9 - 1/36 simplifies to 1/12. By finding the common denominator and subtracting the fractions, we were able to arrive at a simplified result.
