Compare 12/20 and 42/50
12/20 is smaller than 42/50
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 50 is 100
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 100 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 5 = 100,
12/20 = 12 × 5/20 × 5 = 60/100 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 50 × 2 = 100,
42/50 = 42 × 2/50 × 2 = 84/100 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/100 < 84/100 or 12/20 < 42/50
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