Compare 42/81 and 48/36
1st number: 42/81, 2nd number: 1 12/36
42/81 is smaller than 48/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 81 and 36 is 324
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 324 - For the 1st fraction, since 81 × 4 = 324,
42/81 = 42 × 4/81 × 4 = 168/324 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 9 = 324,
48/36 = 48 × 9/36 × 9 = 432/324 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/324 < 432/324 or 42/81 < 48/36
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