Compare 42/50 and 40/12
1st number: 42/50, 2nd number: 3 4/12
42/50 is smaller than 40/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 12 is 300
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 300 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 6 = 300,
42/50 = 42 × 6/50 × 6 = 252/300 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 25 = 300,
40/12 = 40 × 25/12 × 25 = 1000/300 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 252/300 < 1000/300 or 42/50 < 40/12
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