Compare 42/12 and 45/5
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 9 0/5
42/12 is smaller than 45/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 5 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
42/12 = 42 × 5/12 × 5 = 210/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 12 = 60,
45/5 = 45 × 12/5 × 12 = 540/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/60 < 540/60 or 42/12 < 45/5
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