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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 12/40 and 42/18

1st number: 12/40, 2nd number: 2 6/18

12/40 is smaller than 42/18

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 40 and 18 is 360

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
    12/40 = 12 × 9/40 × 9 = 108/360
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 20 = 360,
    42/18 = 42 × 20/18 × 20 = 840/360
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 108/360 < 840/360 or 12/40 < 42/18

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