Compare 36/42 and 12/8
1st number: 36/42, 2nd number: 1 4/8
36/42 is smaller than 12/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 8 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 4 = 168,
36/42 = 36 × 4/42 × 4 = 144/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
12/8 = 12 × 21/8 × 21 = 252/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/168 < 252/168 or 36/42 < 12/8
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