Compare 42/81 and 18/5
1st number: 42/81, 2nd number: 3 3/5
42/81 is smaller than 18/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 81 and 5 is 405
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 405 - For the 1st fraction, since 81 × 5 = 405,
42/81 = 42 × 5/81 × 5 = 210/405 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 81 = 405,
18/5 = 18 × 81/5 × 81 = 1458/405 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/405 < 1458/405 or 42/81 < 18/5
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