Compare 42/70 and 20/16
1st number: 42/70, 2nd number: 1 4/16
42/70 is smaller than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 70 and 16 is 560
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 560 - For the 1st fraction, since 70 × 8 = 560,
42/70 = 42 × 8/70 × 8 = 336/560 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 35 = 560,
20/16 = 20 × 35/16 × 35 = 700/560 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/560 < 700/560 or 42/70 < 20/16
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