Compare 5/36 and 20/16
1st number: 5/36, 2nd number: 1 4/16
5/36 is smaller than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 4 = 144,
5/36 = 5 × 4/36 × 4 = 20/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
20/16 = 20 × 9/16 × 9 = 180/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 20/144 < 180/144 or 5/36 < 20/16
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