Compare 18/40 and 16/12
1st number: 18/40, 2nd number: 1 4/12
18/40 is smaller than 16/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 12 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
18/40 = 18 × 3/40 × 3 = 54/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 10 = 120,
16/12 = 16 × 10/12 × 10 = 160/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 54/120 < 160/120 or 18/40 < 16/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 36/40 and 16/12 18/40 and 32/12 18/80 and 16/12 18/40 and 16/24 54/40 and 16/12 18/40 and 48/12 18/40 and 16/36 90/40 and 16/12 18/40 and 80/12 18/40 and 16/60 18/40 and 16/84