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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 2/5 and 42/36

1st number: 2/5, 2nd number: 1 6/36

2/5 is smaller than 42/36

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 5 and 36 is 180

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 36 = 180,
    2/5 = 2 × 36/5 × 36 = 72/180
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 5 = 180,
    42/36 = 42 × 5/36 × 5 = 210/180
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 72/180 < 210/180 or 2/5 < 42/36

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