Compare 12/84 and 20/9
1st number: 12/84, 2nd number: 2 2/9
12/84 is smaller than 20/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 9 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 3 = 252,
12/84 = 12 × 3/84 × 3 = 36/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 28 = 252,
20/9 = 20 × 28/9 × 28 = 560/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/252 < 560/252 or 12/84 < 20/9
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