Compare 36/12 and 21/5
1st number: 3 0/12, 2nd number: 4 1/5
36/12 is smaller than 21/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 5 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
36/12 = 36 × 5/12 × 5 = 180/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 12 = 60,
21/5 = 21 × 12/5 × 12 = 252/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 180/60 < 252/60 or 36/12 < 21/5
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