Compare 42/12 and 60/16
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 3 12/16
42/12 is smaller than 60/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 16 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
42/12 = 42 × 4/12 × 4 = 168/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
60/16 = 60 × 3/16 × 3 = 180/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/48 < 180/48 or 42/12 < 60/16
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