Compare 1/50 and 42/20, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 1/50 and 42/20

1^st number: 1/50, 2^nd number: 2 2/20

1/50 is smaller than 42/20

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 20 is 100

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 100
For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 2 = 100,
1/50 = 1 × 2/50 × 2 = 2/100
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 5 = 100,
42/20 = 42 × 5/20 × 5 = 210/100
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
2/100 < 210/100 or 1/50 < 42/20

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad