Compare 12/25 and 42/56
12/25 is smaller than 42/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 25 and 56 is 1400
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1400 - For the 1st fraction, since 25 × 56 = 1400,
12/25 = 12 × 56/25 × 56 = 672/1400 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 25 = 1400,
42/56 = 42 × 25/56 × 25 = 1050/1400 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 672/1400 < 1050/1400 or 12/25 < 42/56
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