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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 2/5 and 7/12

2/5 is smaller than 7/12

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 5 and 12 is 60

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 12 = 60,
    2/5 = 2 × 12/5 × 12 = 24/60
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
    7/12 = 7 × 5/12 × 5 = 35/60
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 24/60 < 35/60 or 2/5 < 7/12

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