Compare 12/42 and 40/80
12/42 is smaller than 40/80
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 80 is 1680
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1680 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 40 = 1680,
12/42 = 12 × 40/42 × 40 = 480/1680 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 80 × 21 = 1680,
40/80 = 40 × 21/80 × 21 = 840/1680 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 480/1680 < 840/1680 or 12/42 < 40/80
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