Compare 42/9 and 20/4
1st number: 4 6/9, 2nd number: 5 0/4
42/9 is smaller than 20/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 4 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
42/9 = 42 × 4/9 × 4 = 168/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
20/4 = 20 × 9/4 × 9 = 180/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/36 < 180/36 or 42/9 < 20/4
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