Compare 42/30 and 18/3
1st number: 1 12/30, 2nd number: 6 0/3
42/30 is smaller than 18/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 30 and 3 is 30
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 30 - For the 1st fraction, since 30 × 1 = 30,
42/30 = 42 × 1/30 × 1 = 42/30 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 10 = 30,
18/3 = 18 × 10/3 × 10 = 180/30 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/30 < 180/30 or 42/30 < 18/3
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