Simplifying the Fraction: 14/15 - 2/3
When dealing with fractions, it's essential to understand how to perform various operations, including subtraction. In this article, we'll explore how to simplify the fraction 14/15 - 2/3.
Step 1: Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM)
To subtract fractions with different denominators, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of 15 and 3. The LCM is the smallest number that both denominators can divide into evenly.
The multiples of 15 are: 15, 30, 45, 60, ... The multiples of 3 are: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ...
As we can see, the first number that appears in both lists is 15. Therefore, the LCM is 15.
Step 2: Convert the Second Fraction
Now, we need to convert the second fraction (2/3) to have a denominator of 15. To do this, we'll multiply both the numerator and denominator by 5:
2/3 = (2 × 5) / (3 × 5) = 10/15
Step 3: Subtract the Fractions
Now that both fractions have the same denominator, we can subtract them:
14/15 - 10/15 = (14 - 10) / 15 = 4/15
Step 4: Simplify the Result
The resulting fraction is already in its simplest form, so we're done!
Therefore, the simplified result of 14/15 - 2/3 is 4/15.
