Answers

Solutions by everydaycalculation.com

Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 42/36 and 81/50

1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 1 31/50

42/36 is smaller than 81/50

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 36 and 50 is 900

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 900
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 25 = 900,
    42/36 = 42 × 25/36 × 25 = 1050/900
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 50 × 18 = 900,
    81/50 = 81 × 18/50 × 18 = 1458/900
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 1050/900 < 1458/900 or 42/36 < 81/50

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad

Related:

© everydaycalculation.com