Compare 42/56 and 45/12
1st number: 42/56, 2nd number: 3 9/12
42/56 is smaller than 45/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 12 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
42/56 = 42 × 3/56 × 3 = 126/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 14 = 168,
45/12 = 45 × 14/12 × 14 = 630/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/168 < 630/168 or 42/56 < 45/12
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