Compare 40/84 and 15/30
40/84 is smaller than 15/30
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 30 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
40/84 = 40 × 5/84 × 5 = 200/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 30 × 14 = 420,
15/30 = 15 × 14/30 × 14 = 210/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/420 < 210/420 or 40/84 < 15/30
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