Compare 3/12 and 25/50
3/12 is smaller than 25/50
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 50 is 300
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 300 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 25 = 300,
3/12 = 3 × 25/12 × 25 = 75/300 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 50 × 6 = 300,
25/50 = 25 × 6/50 × 6 = 150/300 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 75/300 < 150/300 or 3/12 < 25/50
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