Compare 42/40 and 18/10
1st number: 1 2/40, 2nd number: 1 8/10
42/40 is smaller than 18/10
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 10 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
42/40 = 42 × 1/40 × 1 = 42/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 4 = 40,
18/10 = 18 × 4/10 × 4 = 72/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/40 < 72/40 or 42/40 < 18/10
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