Compare 12/84 and 42/35
1st number: 12/84, 2nd number: 1 7/35
12/84 is smaller than 42/35
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 35 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
12/84 = 12 × 5/84 × 5 = 60/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 35 × 12 = 420,
42/35 = 42 × 12/35 × 12 = 504/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/420 < 504/420 or 12/84 < 42/35
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