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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 1/42 and 3/8

1/42 is smaller than 3/8

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 42 and 8 is 168

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 4 = 168,
    1/42 = 1 × 4/42 × 4 = 4/168
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
    3/8 = 3 × 21/8 × 21 = 63/168
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 4/168 < 63/168 or 1/42 < 3/8

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