Compare 18/42 and 3/6
18/42 is smaller than 3/6
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 6 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
18/42 = 18 × 1/42 × 1 = 18/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 6 × 7 = 42,
3/6 = 3 × 7/6 × 7 = 21/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 18/42 < 21/42 or 18/42 < 3/6
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