Compare 12/14 and 42/40
1st number: 12/14, 2nd number: 1 2/40
12/14 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 14 and 40 is 280
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 280 - For the 1st fraction, since 14 × 20 = 280,
12/14 = 12 × 20/14 × 20 = 240/280 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 7 = 280,
42/40 = 42 × 7/40 × 7 = 294/280 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 240/280 < 294/280 or 12/14 < 42/40
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