Compare 12/14 and 84/42
1st number: 12/14, 2nd number: 2 0/42
12/14 is smaller than 84/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 14 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 14 × 3 = 42,
12/14 = 12 × 3/14 × 3 = 36/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
84/42 = 84 × 1/42 × 1 = 84/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/42 < 84/42 or 12/14 < 84/42
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