Compare 18/36 and 42/18
1st number: 18/36, 2nd number: 2 6/18
18/36 is smaller than 42/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 18 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
18/36 = 18 × 1/36 × 1 = 18/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
42/18 = 42 × 2/18 × 2 = 84/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 18/36 < 84/36 or 18/36 < 42/18
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