Compare 18/56 and 45/40
1st number: 18/56, 2nd number: 1 5/40
18/56 is smaller than 45/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 40 is 280
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 280 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 5 = 280,
18/56 = 18 × 5/56 × 5 = 90/280 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 7 = 280,
45/40 = 45 × 7/40 × 7 = 315/280 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 90/280 < 315/280 or 18/56 < 45/40
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