Compare 42/40 and 56/32
1st number: 1 2/40, 2nd number: 1 24/32
42/40 is smaller than 56/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 32 is 160
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 160 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 4 = 160,
42/40 = 42 × 4/40 × 4 = 168/160 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 5 = 160,
56/32 = 56 × 5/32 × 5 = 280/160 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/160 < 280/160 or 42/40 < 56/32
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