Compare 5/15 and 40/36
1st number: 5/15, 2nd number: 1 4/36
5/15 is smaller than 40/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 36 is 180
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 12 = 180,
5/15 = 5 × 12/15 × 12 = 60/180 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 5 = 180,
40/36 = 40 × 5/36 × 5 = 200/180 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 60/180 < 200/180 or 5/15 < 40/36
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