Compare 42/2 and 40/32
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 1 8/32
42/2 is greater than 40/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 32 is 32
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 32 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 16 = 32,
42/2 = 42 × 16/2 × 16 = 672/32 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 1 = 32,
40/32 = 40 × 1/32 × 1 = 40/32 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 672/32 > 40/32 or 42/2 > 40/32
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