Compare 42/50 and 18/5
1st number: 42/50, 2nd number: 3 3/5
42/50 is smaller than 18/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 5 is 50
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 50 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 1 = 50,
42/50 = 42 × 1/50 × 1 = 42/50 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 10 = 50,
18/5 = 18 × 10/5 × 10 = 180/50 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/50 < 180/50 or 42/50 < 18/5
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