Compare 12/35 and 42/12
1st number: 12/35, 2nd number: 3 6/12
12/35 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 35 and 12 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 35 × 12 = 420,
12/35 = 12 × 12/35 × 12 = 144/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 35 = 420,
42/12 = 42 × 35/12 × 35 = 1470/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/420 < 1470/420 or 12/35 < 42/12
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