Compare 20/12 and 36/16
1st number: 1 8/12, 2nd number: 2 4/16
20/12 is smaller than 36/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
20/12 = 20 × 4/12 × 4 = 80/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
36/16 = 36 × 3/16 × 3 = 108/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/48 < 108/48 or 20/12 < 36/16
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 40/12 and 36/16 20/12 and 72/16 20/24 and 36/16 20/12 and 36/32 60/12 and 36/16 20/36 and 36/16 20/12 and 36/48 20/60 and 36/16 20/12 and 36/80 20/84 and 36/16