Compare 1/4 and 42/40
1st number: 1/4, 2nd number: 1 2/40
1/4 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 10 = 40,
1/4 = 1 × 10/4 × 10 = 10/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
42/40 = 42 × 1/40 × 1 = 42/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 10/40 < 42/40 or 1/4 < 42/40
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