Compare 4/12 and 8/16
4/12 is smaller than 8/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
4/12 = 4 × 4/12 × 4 = 16/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
8/16 = 8 × 3/16 × 3 = 24/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 16/48 < 24/48 or 4/12 < 8/16
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