Compare 20/42 and 72/75
20/42 is smaller than 72/75
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 75 is 1050
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1050 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 25 = 1050,
20/42 = 20 × 25/42 × 25 = 500/1050 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 75 × 14 = 1050,
72/75 = 72 × 14/75 × 14 = 1008/1050 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 500/1050 < 1008/1050 or 20/42 < 72/75
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