Compare 5/3 and 42/20
1st number: 1 2/3, 2nd number: 2 2/20
5/3 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 20 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 20 = 60,
5/3 = 5 × 20/3 × 20 = 100/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
42/20 = 42 × 3/20 × 3 = 126/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 100/60 < 126/60 or 5/3 < 42/20
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