Compare 27/32 and 42/20
1st number: 27/32, 2nd number: 2 2/20
27/32 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 20 is 160
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 160 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 5 = 160,
27/32 = 27 × 5/32 × 5 = 135/160 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 8 = 160,
42/20 = 42 × 8/20 × 8 = 336/160 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 135/160 < 336/160 or 27/32 < 42/20
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