Compare 36/12 and 42/7
1st number: 3 0/12, 2nd number: 6 0/7
36/12 is smaller than 42/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 7 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
36/12 = 36 × 7/12 × 7 = 252/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 12 = 84,
42/7 = 42 × 12/7 × 12 = 504/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 252/84 < 504/84 or 36/12 < 42/7
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