Compare 42/98 and 18/5
1st number: 42/98, 2nd number: 3 3/5
42/98 is smaller than 18/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 98 and 5 is 490
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 490 - For the 1st fraction, since 98 × 5 = 490,
42/98 = 42 × 5/98 × 5 = 210/490 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 98 = 490,
18/5 = 18 × 98/5 × 98 = 1764/490 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/490 < 1764/490 or 42/98 < 18/5
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