Compare 36/20 and 42/12
1st number: 1 16/20, 2nd number: 3 6/12
36/20 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
36/20 = 36 × 3/20 × 3 = 108/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
42/12 = 42 × 5/12 × 5 = 210/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 108/60 < 210/60 or 36/20 < 42/12
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