Compare 45/42 and 18/15
1st number: 1 3/42, 2nd number: 1 3/15
45/42 is smaller than 18/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 15 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
45/42 = 45 × 5/42 × 5 = 225/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 14 = 210,
18/15 = 18 × 14/15 × 14 = 252/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 225/210 < 252/210 or 45/42 < 18/15
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