Compare 20/18 and 42/72
1st number: 1 2/18, 2nd number: 42/72
20/18 is greater than 42/72
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 72 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
20/18 = 20 × 4/18 × 4 = 80/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
42/72 = 42 × 1/72 × 1 = 42/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/72 > 42/72 or 20/18 > 42/72
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