Compare 36/32 and 42/18
1st number: 1 4/32, 2nd number: 2 6/18
36/32 is smaller than 42/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 18 is 288
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 288 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 9 = 288,
36/32 = 36 × 9/32 × 9 = 324/288 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 16 = 288,
42/18 = 42 × 16/18 × 16 = 672/288 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 324/288 < 672/288 or 36/32 < 42/18
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