Compare 30/40 and 42/20
1st number: 30/40, 2nd number: 2 2/20
30/40 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 20 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
30/40 = 30 × 1/40 × 1 = 30/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 2 = 40,
42/20 = 42 × 2/20 × 2 = 84/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 30/40 < 84/40 or 30/40 < 42/20
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