Compare 16/36 and 54/42
1st number: 16/36, 2nd number: 1 12/42
16/36 is smaller than 54/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 42 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
16/36 = 16 × 7/36 × 7 = 112/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
54/42 = 54 × 6/42 × 6 = 324/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 112/252 < 324/252 or 16/36 < 54/42
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