Compare 20/42 and 72/56
1st number: 20/42, 2nd number: 1 16/56
20/42 is smaller than 72/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 56 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 4 = 168,
20/42 = 20 × 4/42 × 4 = 80/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
72/56 = 72 × 3/56 × 3 = 216/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/168 < 216/168 or 20/42 < 72/56
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