Compare 18/42 and 45/36
1st number: 18/42, 2nd number: 1 9/36
18/42 is smaller than 45/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
18/42 = 18 × 6/42 × 6 = 108/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
45/36 = 45 × 7/36 × 7 = 315/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 108/252 < 315/252 or 18/42 < 45/36
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