Compare 42/54 and 18/5
1st number: 42/54, 2nd number: 3 3/5
42/54 is smaller than 18/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 54 and 5 is 270
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 270 - For the 1st fraction, since 54 × 5 = 270,
42/54 = 42 × 5/54 × 5 = 210/270 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 54 = 270,
18/5 = 18 × 54/5 × 54 = 972/270 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/270 < 972/270 or 42/54 < 18/5
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