Compare 45/42 and 12/36
1st number: 1 3/42, 2nd number: 12/36
45/42 is greater than 12/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
45/42 = 45 × 6/42 × 6 = 270/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
12/36 = 12 × 7/36 × 7 = 84/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 270/252 > 84/252 or 45/42 > 12/36
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