Compare 12/36 and 40/18
1st number: 12/36, 2nd number: 2 4/18
12/36 is smaller than 40/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 18 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
12/36 = 12 × 1/36 × 1 = 12/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
40/18 = 40 × 2/18 × 2 = 80/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 12/36 < 80/36 or 12/36 < 40/18
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