Simplify 3/8-1/2

$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{2}$

To write $- \frac{1}{2}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{4}{4}$

Write each expression with a common denominator of $8$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

Multiply $\frac{1}{2}$ by $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{4}{2 \cdot 4}$

Multiply $2$ by $4$ .

$\frac{3}{8} - \frac{4}{8}$

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{3 - 4}{8}$

Subtract $4$ from $3$ .

$\frac{- 1}{8}$

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{1}{8}$

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$- \frac{1}{8}$

Decimal Form:

$- 0.125$