Compare 5/12 and 42/40
1st number: 5/12, 2nd number: 1 2/40
5/12 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 40 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 10 = 120,
5/12 = 5 × 10/12 × 10 = 50/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
42/40 = 42 × 3/40 × 3 = 126/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 50/120 < 126/120 or 5/12 < 42/40
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