Compare 5/12 and 42/27
1st number: 5/12, 2nd number: 1 15/27
5/12 is smaller than 42/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 27 is 108
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 108 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 9 = 108,
5/12 = 5 × 9/12 × 9 = 45/108 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 4 = 108,
42/27 = 42 × 4/27 × 4 = 168/108 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 45/108 < 168/108 or 5/12 < 42/27
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