Compare 14/42 and 40/36
1st number: 14/42, 2nd number: 1 4/36
14/42 is smaller than 40/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
14/42 = 14 × 6/42 × 6 = 84/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
40/36 = 40 × 7/36 × 7 = 280/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/252 < 280/252 or 14/42 < 40/36
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