Compare 16/12 and 42/27
1st number: 1 4/12, 2nd number: 1 15/27
16/12 is smaller than 42/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 27 is 108
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 108 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 9 = 108,
16/12 = 16 × 9/12 × 9 = 144/108 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 4 = 108,
42/27 = 42 × 4/27 × 4 = 168/108 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/108 < 168/108 or 16/12 < 42/27
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