Compare 20/36 and 42/12
1st number: 20/36, 2nd number: 3 6/12
20/36 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 12 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
20/36 = 20 × 1/36 × 1 = 20/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
42/12 = 42 × 3/12 × 3 = 126/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 20/36 < 126/36 or 20/36 < 42/12
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