Compare 2/5 and 36/24, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 2/5 and 36/24

1^st number: 2/5, 2^nd number: 1 12/24

2/5 is smaller than 36/24

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 24 is 120

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120
For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 24 = 120,
2/5 = 2 × 24/5 × 24 = 48/120
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 24 × 5 = 120,
36/24 = 36 × 5/24 × 5 = 180/120
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
48/120 < 180/120 or 2/5 < 36/24

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad