Compare 18/42 and 45/18
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 2 9/18
18/42 is smaller than 45/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
18/42 = 18 × 3/42 × 3 = 54/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
45/18 = 45 × 7/18 × 7 = 315/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 54/126 < 315/126 or 18/42 < 45/18
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