Compare 1/12 and 40/20
1st number: 1/12, 2nd number: 2 0/20
1/12 is smaller than 40/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 20 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
1/12 = 1 × 5/12 × 5 = 5/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
40/20 = 40 × 3/20 × 3 = 120/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 5/60 < 120/60 or 1/12 < 40/20
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