Compare 16/12 and 42/30
1st number: 1 4/12, 2nd number: 1 12/30
16/12 is smaller than 42/30
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 30 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
16/12 = 16 × 5/12 × 5 = 80/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 30 × 2 = 60,
42/30 = 42 × 2/30 × 2 = 84/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/60 < 84/60 or 16/12 < 42/30
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