Compare 1/18 and 42/32
1st number: 1/18, 2nd number: 1 10/32
1/18 is smaller than 42/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 32 is 288
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 288 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 16 = 288,
1/18 = 1 × 16/18 × 16 = 16/288 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 9 = 288,
42/32 = 42 × 9/32 × 9 = 378/288 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 16/288 < 378/288 or 1/18 < 42/32
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