Compare 40/56 and 15/12
1st number: 40/56, 2nd number: 1 3/12
40/56 is smaller than 15/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 12 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
40/56 = 40 × 3/56 × 3 = 120/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 14 = 168,
15/12 = 15 × 14/12 × 14 = 210/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 120/168 < 210/168 or 40/56 < 15/12
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