Compare 40/16 and 42/5
1st number: 2 8/16, 2nd number: 8 2/5
40/16 is smaller than 42/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 5 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
40/16 = 40 × 5/16 × 5 = 200/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 16 = 80,
42/5 = 42 × 16/5 × 16 = 672/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/80 < 672/80 or 40/16 < 42/5
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