Compare 12/20 and 42/15
1st number: 12/20, 2nd number: 2 12/15
12/20 is smaller than 42/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 15 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
12/20 = 12 × 3/20 × 3 = 36/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 4 = 60,
42/15 = 42 × 4/15 × 4 = 168/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/60 < 168/60 or 12/20 < 42/15
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