Answers

Compare 4/42 and 18/40

4/42 is smaller than 18/40

Steps for comparing fractions

1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
   LCM of 42 and 40 is 840
2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 20 = 840,
   4/42 = 4 × 20/42 × 20 = 80/840
3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
   18/40 = 18 × 21/40 × 21 = 378/840
4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
5. 80/840 < 378/840 or 4/42 < 18/40

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad

Related: ⁸/₄₂ and ¹⁸/₄₀ ⁴/₄₂ and ³⁶/₄₀ ⁴/₈₄ and ¹⁸/₄₀ ⁴/₄₂ and ¹⁸/₈₀ ¹²/₄₂ and ¹⁸/₄₀ ⁴/₄₂ and ⁵⁴/₄₀ ²⁰/₄₂ and ¹⁸/₄₀ ⁴/₄₂ and ⁹⁰/₄₀ ²⁸/₄₂ and ¹⁸/₄₀

Compare Fractions Calculator