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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 42/36 and 48/40

1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 1 8/40

42/36 is smaller than 48/40

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 36 and 40 is 360

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 10 = 360,
    42/36 = 42 × 10/36 × 10 = 420/360
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
    48/40 = 48 × 9/40 × 9 = 432/360
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 420/360 < 432/360 or 42/36 < 48/40

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