Compare 1/3 and 42/24
1st number: 1/3, 2nd number: 1 18/24
1/3 is smaller than 42/24
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 24 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 8 = 24,
1/3 = 1 × 8/3 × 8 = 8/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 24 × 1 = 24,
42/24 = 42 × 1/24 × 1 = 42/24 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 8/24 < 42/24 or 1/3 < 42/24
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