Compare 2/5 and 48/42
1st number: 2/5, 2nd number: 1 6/42
2/5 is smaller than 48/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 42 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 42 = 210,
2/5 = 2 × 42/5 × 42 = 84/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
48/42 = 48 × 5/42 × 5 = 240/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/210 < 240/210 or 2/5 < 48/42
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