Compare 42/15 and 15/5
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 3 0/5
42/15 is smaller than 15/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 5 is 15
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 15 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 1 = 15,
42/15 = 42 × 1/15 × 1 = 42/15 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 3 = 15,
15/5 = 15 × 3/5 × 3 = 45/15 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/15 < 45/15 or 42/15 < 15/5
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