Compare 15/20 and 42/16
1st number: 15/20, 2nd number: 2 10/16
15/20 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 4 = 80,
15/20 = 15 × 4/20 × 4 = 60/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
42/16 = 42 × 5/16 × 5 = 210/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/80 < 210/80 or 15/20 < 42/16
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