Compare 12/40 and 56/3
1st number: 12/40, 2nd number: 18 2/3
12/40 is smaller than 56/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 3 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 3 × 40 = 120,
56/3 = 56 × 40/3 × 40 = 2240/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/120 < 2240/120 or 12/40 < 56/3
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