Compare 3/40 and 45/20
1st number: 3/40, 2nd number: 2 5/20
3/40 is smaller than 45/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 20 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
3/40 = 3 × 1/40 × 1 = 3/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 2 = 40,
45/20 = 45 × 2/20 × 2 = 90/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 3/40 < 90/40 or 3/40 < 45/20
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 6/40 and 45/20 3/40 and 90/20 3/80 and 45/20 3/40 and 45/40 9/40 and 45/20 3/40 and 45/60 15/40 and 45/20 21/40 and 45/20