Compare 2/5 and 84/12
1st number: 2/5, 2nd number: 7 0/12
2/5 is smaller than 84/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 12 = 60,
2/5 = 2 × 12/5 × 12 = 24/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
84/12 = 84 × 5/12 × 5 = 420/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 24/60 < 420/60 or 2/5 < 84/12
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