Compare 1/2 and 49/40
1st number: 1/2, 2nd number: 1 9/40
1/2 is smaller than 49/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 20 = 40,
1/2 = 1 × 20/2 × 20 = 20/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
49/40 = 49 × 1/40 × 1 = 49/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 20/40 < 49/40 or 1/2 < 49/40
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