Compare 42/80 and 12/18
42/80 is smaller than 12/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 80 and 18 is 720
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 720 - For the 1st fraction, since 80 × 9 = 720,
42/80 = 42 × 9/80 × 9 = 378/720 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 40 = 720,
12/18 = 12 × 40/18 × 40 = 480/720 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 378/720 < 480/720 or 42/80 < 12/18
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