Compare 18/42 and 2/12
18/42 is greater than 2/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 12 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
18/42 = 18 × 2/42 × 2 = 36/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
2/12 = 2 × 7/12 × 7 = 14/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/84 > 14/84 or 18/42 > 2/12
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 36/42 and 2/12 18/42 and 4/12 18/84 and 2/12 18/42 and 2/24 54/42 and 2/12 18/42 and 6/12 18/42 and 2/36 90/42 and 2/12 18/42 and 10/12 18/42 and 2/60 18/42 and 14/12 18/42 and 2/84