Compare 42/12 and 90/18
1st number: 3 6/12, 2nd number: 5 0/18
42/12 is smaller than 90/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 18 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 18 × 2 = 36,
90/18 = 90 × 2/18 × 2 = 180/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/36 < 180/36 or 42/12 < 90/18
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