Compare 42/12 and 40/3
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 13 1/3
42/12 is smaller than 40/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 3 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 3 × 4 = 12,
40/3 = 40 × 4/3 × 4 = 160/12 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/12 < 160/12 or 42/12 < 40/3
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