Compare 42/18 and 20/16
1st number: 2 6/18, 2nd number: 1 4/16
42/18 is greater than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
42/18 = 42 × 8/18 × 8 = 336/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
20/16 = 20 × 9/16 × 9 = 180/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/144 > 180/144 or 42/18 > 20/16
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