Compare 42/70 and 36/20
1st number: 42/70, 2nd number: 1 16/20
42/70 is smaller than 36/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 70 and 20 is 140
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 140 - For the 1st fraction, since 70 × 2 = 140,
42/70 = 42 × 2/70 × 2 = 84/140 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 20 × 7 = 140,
36/20 = 36 × 7/20 × 7 = 252/140 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/140 < 252/140 or 42/70 < 36/20
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