Compare 42/84 and 36/5
1st number: 42/84, 2nd number: 7 1/5
42/84 is smaller than 36/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 5 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
42/84 = 42 × 5/84 × 5 = 210/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 84 = 420,
36/5 = 36 × 84/5 × 84 = 3024/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/420 < 3024/420 or 42/84 < 36/5
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