Compare 14/20 and 40/42
14/20 is smaller than 40/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 42 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 21 = 420,
14/20 = 14 × 21/20 × 21 = 294/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 10 = 420,
40/42 = 40 × 10/42 × 10 = 400/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/420 < 400/420 or 14/20 < 40/42
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