Compare 30/12 and 42/18
1st number: 2 6/12, 2nd number: 2 6/18
30/12 is greater than 42/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 18 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
30/12 = 30 × 3/12 × 3 = 90/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
42/18 = 42 × 2/18 × 2 = 84/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 90/36 > 84/36 or 30/12 > 42/18
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