Compare 40/18 and 42/4
1st number: 2 4/18, 2nd number: 10 2/4
40/18 is smaller than 42/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 4 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
40/18 = 40 × 2/18 × 2 = 80/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
42/4 = 42 × 9/4 × 9 = 378/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/36 < 378/36 or 40/18 < 42/4
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