Compare 2/40 and 81/42
1st number: 2/40, 2nd number: 1 39/42
2/40 is smaller than 81/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 42 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
2/40 = 2 × 21/40 × 21 = 42/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 20 = 840,
81/42 = 81 × 20/42 × 20 = 1620/840 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/840 < 1620/840 or 2/40 < 81/42
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