Compare 18/15 and 42/30
1st number: 1 3/15, 2nd number: 1 12/30
18/15 is smaller than 42/30
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 30 is 30
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 30 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 2 = 30,
18/15 = 18 × 2/15 × 2 = 36/30 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 30 × 1 = 30,
42/30 = 42 × 1/30 × 1 = 42/30 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/30 < 42/30 or 18/15 < 42/30
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