Compare 36/48 and 20/18
1st number: 36/48, 2nd number: 1 2/18
36/48 is smaller than 20/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 18 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
36/48 = 36 × 3/48 × 3 = 108/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
20/18 = 20 × 8/18 × 8 = 160/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 108/144 < 160/144 or 36/48 < 20/18
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