Compare 42/18 and 5/32
1st number: 2 6/18, 2nd number: 5/32
42/18 is greater than 5/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 32 is 288
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 288 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 16 = 288,
42/18 = 42 × 16/18 × 16 = 672/288 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 9 = 288,
5/32 = 5 × 9/32 × 9 = 45/288 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 672/288 > 45/288 or 42/18 > 5/32
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