Compare 2/42 and 36/3
1st number: 2/42, 2nd number: 12 0/3
2/42 is smaller than 36/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 3 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
2/42 = 2 × 1/42 × 1 = 2/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 14 = 42,
36/3 = 36 × 14/3 × 14 = 504/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 2/42 < 504/42 or 2/42 < 36/3
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