Compare 12/40 and 21/12
1st number: 12/40, 2nd number: 1 9/12
12/40 is smaller than 21/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 12 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
12/40 = 12 × 3/40 × 3 = 36/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 10 = 120,
21/12 = 21 × 10/12 × 10 = 210/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/120 < 210/120 or 12/40 < 21/12
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