Compare 42/12 and 84/9
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 9 3/9
42/12 is smaller than 84/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 9 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
42/12 = 42 × 3/12 × 3 = 126/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
84/9 = 84 × 4/9 × 4 = 336/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/36 < 336/36 or 42/12 < 84/9
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