Compare 36/30 and 42/20
1st number: 1 6/30, 2nd number: 2 2/20
36/30 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 30 and 20 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 30 × 2 = 60,
36/30 = 36 × 2/30 × 2 = 72/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
42/20 = 42 × 3/20 × 3 = 126/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/60 < 126/60 or 36/30 < 42/20
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