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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 3/42 and 5/56

3/42 is smaller than 5/56

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 42 and 56 is 168

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 4 = 168,
    3/42 = 3 × 4/42 × 4 = 12/168
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
    5/56 = 5 × 3/56 × 3 = 15/168
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 12/168 < 15/168 or 3/42 < 5/56

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