Compare 3/12 and 36/56
3/12 is smaller than 36/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 56 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 14 = 168,
3/12 = 3 × 14/12 × 14 = 42/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
36/56 = 36 × 3/56 × 3 = 108/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/168 < 108/168 or 3/12 < 36/56
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