Compare 30/84 and 42/18
1st number: 30/84, 2nd number: 2 6/18
30/84 is smaller than 42/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 18 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 3 = 252,
30/84 = 30 × 3/84 × 3 = 90/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 14 = 252,
42/18 = 42 × 14/18 × 14 = 588/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 90/252 < 588/252 or 30/84 < 42/18
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