Compare 40/15 and 42/12
1st number: 2 10/15, 2nd number: 3 6/12
40/15 is smaller than 42/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 4 = 60,
40/15 = 40 × 4/15 × 4 = 160/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
42/12 = 42 × 5/12 × 5 = 210/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 160/60 < 210/60 or 40/15 < 42/12
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