Compare 12/84 and 42/5
1st number: 12/84, 2nd number: 8 2/5
12/84 is smaller than 42/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 5 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 5 × 84 = 420,
42/5 = 42 × 84/5 × 84 = 3528/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/420 < 3528/420 or 12/84 < 42/5
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