Compare 42/18 and 50/9
1st number: 2 6/18, 2nd number: 5 5/9
42/18 is smaller than 50/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 9 is 18
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 18 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 1 = 18,
42/18 = 42 × 1/18 × 1 = 42/18 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 2 = 18,
50/9 = 50 × 2/9 × 2 = 100/18 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/18 < 100/18 or 42/18 < 50/9
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