Compare 42/36 and 96/80
1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 1 16/80
42/36 is smaller than 96/80
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 80 is 720
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 720 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 20 = 720,
42/36 = 42 × 20/36 × 20 = 840/720 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 80 × 9 = 720,
96/80 = 96 × 9/80 × 9 = 864/720 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 840/720 < 864/720 or 42/36 < 96/80
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