Compare 12/48 and 42/40
1st number: 12/48, 2nd number: 1 2/40
12/48 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 40 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 5 = 240,
12/48 = 12 × 5/48 × 5 = 60/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 6 = 240,
42/40 = 42 × 6/40 × 6 = 252/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/240 < 252/240 or 12/48 < 42/40
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