Compare 16/36 and 42/8
1st number: 16/36, 2nd number: 5 2/8
16/36 is smaller than 42/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
16/36 = 16 × 2/36 × 2 = 32/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
42/8 = 42 × 9/8 × 9 = 378/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 32/72 < 378/72 or 16/36 < 42/8
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