Compare 1/2 and 42/36
1st number: 1/2, 2nd number: 1 6/36
1/2 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 36 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 18 = 36,
1/2 = 1 × 18/2 × 18 = 18/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
42/36 = 42 × 1/36 × 1 = 42/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 18/36 < 42/36 or 1/2 < 42/36
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