Compare 40/30 and 21/12
1st number: 1 10/30, 2nd number: 1 9/12
40/30 is smaller than 21/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 30 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 30 × 2 = 60,
40/30 = 40 × 2/30 × 2 = 80/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
21/12 = 21 × 5/12 × 5 = 105/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/60 < 105/60 or 40/30 < 21/12
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