What is 7 1/4 minus 2 5/12?

Make the dissimilar fractions similar

get the lcd of the denominators

4 = 4, 8, 12 ...

12 = 12, 24, 36 ...

the lcd of 4 and 12 is 12

1/4 = ?/12

5/12 = ?/12

divide your lcd with the current denominator (in this case 4 and 12)

12:12=1

12:4=3

after dividing it you have to multiply it with the current numerator (1 and 5)

3*1 = 3

1*5 = 5

and these two are now your numerators

1/4 = 3/12

5/12 = 5/12

now you can subtract the fractions

7 3/12 - 2 5/12 = 5 - 2/12