Compare 20/42 and 40/4
1st number: 20/42, 2nd number: 10 0/4
20/42 is smaller than 40/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 4 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
20/42 = 20 × 2/42 × 2 = 40/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 21 = 84,
40/4 = 40 × 21/4 × 21 = 840/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 40/84 < 840/84 or 20/42 < 40/4
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