Compare 5/42 and 1/3
5/42 is smaller than 1/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 3 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
5/42 = 5 × 1/42 × 1 = 5/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 14 = 42,
1/3 = 1 × 14/3 × 14 = 14/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 5/42 < 14/42 or 5/42 < 1/3
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