Compare 1/48 and 42/20
1st number: 1/48, 2nd number: 2 2/20
1/48 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 20 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 5 = 240,
1/48 = 1 × 5/48 × 5 = 5/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 12 = 240,
42/20 = 42 × 12/20 × 12 = 504/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 5/240 < 504/240 or 1/48 < 42/20
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