Compare 20/84 and 42/36
1st number: 20/84, 2nd number: 1 6/36
20/84 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 3 = 252,
20/84 = 20 × 3/84 × 3 = 60/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
42/36 = 42 × 7/36 × 7 = 294/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/252 < 294/252 or 20/84 < 42/36
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