Compare 12/36 and 5/9
12/36 is smaller than 5/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 9 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 9 × 4 = 36,
5/9 = 5 × 4/9 × 4 = 20/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 12/36 < 20/36 or 12/36 < 5/9
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