Compare 4/12 and 42/20
1st number: 4/12, 2nd number: 2 2/20
4/12 is smaller than 42/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 20 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
4/12 = 4 × 5/12 × 5 = 20/60 - 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
- 20/60 < 126/60 or 4/12 < 42/20
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