Compare 18/81 and 42/12
1st number: 18/81, 2nd number: 3 6/12
18/81 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 81 and 12 is 324
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 324 - For the 1st fraction, since 81 × 4 = 324,
18/81 = 18 × 4/81 × 4 = 72/324 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 27 = 324,
42/12 = 42 × 27/12 × 27 = 1134/324 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/324 < 1134/324 or 18/81 < 42/12
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