Compare 5/12 and 63/40, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 5/12 and 63/40

1^st number: 5/12, 2^nd number: 1 23/40

5/12 is smaller than 63/40

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,
63/40 = 63 × 3/40 × 3 = 189/120
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
50/120 < 189/120 or 5/12 < 63/40

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad