Compare 3/16 and 42/40
1st number: 3/16, 2nd number: 1 2/40
3/16 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 40 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
3/16 = 3 × 5/16 × 5 = 15/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
42/40 = 42 × 2/40 × 2 = 84/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 15/80 < 84/80 or 3/16 < 42/40
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