Compare 3/42 and 36/18
1st number: 3/42, 2nd number: 2 0/18
3/42 is smaller than 36/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
3/42 = 3 × 3/42 × 3 = 9/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
36/18 = 36 × 7/18 × 7 = 252/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 9/126 < 252/126 or 3/42 < 36/18
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