Compare 3/15 and 42/32
1st number: 3/15, 2nd number: 1 10/32
3/15 is smaller than 42/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 32 is 480
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 480 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 32 = 480,
3/15 = 3 × 32/15 × 32 = 96/480 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 15 = 480,
42/32 = 42 × 15/32 × 15 = 630/480 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 96/480 < 630/480 or 3/15 < 42/32
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