Compare 18/42 and 20/12
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 1 8/12
18/42 is smaller than 20/12
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,
20/12 = 20 × 7/12 × 7 = 140/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/84 < 140/84 or 18/42 < 20/12
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