Compare 36/2 and 84/4
1st number: 18 0/2, 2nd number: 21 0/4
36/2 is smaller than 84/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 4 is 4
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 4 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 2 = 4,
36/2 = 36 × 2/2 × 2 = 72/4 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 1 = 4,
84/4 = 84 × 1/4 × 1 = 84/4 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/4 < 84/4 or 36/2 < 84/4
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