Compare 36/32 and 42/15
1st number: 1 4/32, 2nd number: 2 12/15
36/32 is smaller than 42/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 15 is 480
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 480 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 15 = 480,
36/32 = 36 × 15/32 × 15 = 540/480 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 32 = 480,
42/15 = 42 × 32/15 × 32 = 1344/480 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 540/480 < 1344/480 or 36/32 < 42/15
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