Compare 42/36 and 45/16
1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 2 13/16
42/36 is smaller than 45/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 4 = 144,
42/36 = 42 × 4/36 × 4 = 168/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
45/16 = 45 × 9/16 × 9 = 405/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/144 < 405/144 or 42/36 < 45/16
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