Compare 15/40 and 42/36
1st number: 15/40, 2nd number: 1 6/36
15/40 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 36 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
15/40 = 15 × 9/40 × 9 = 135/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 10 = 360,
42/36 = 42 × 10/36 × 10 = 420/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 135/360 < 420/360 or 15/40 < 42/36
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