Compare 42/12 and 20/4
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 5 0/4
42/12 is smaller than 20/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 4 is 12
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 12 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 1 = 12,
42/12 = 42 × 1/12 × 1 = 42/12 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 3 = 12,
20/4 = 20 × 3/4 × 3 = 60/12 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/12 < 60/12 or 42/12 < 20/4
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