Compare 5/40 and 18/9
1st number: 5/40, 2nd number: 2 0/9
5/40 is smaller than 18/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 9 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
5/40 = 5 × 9/40 × 9 = 45/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 40 = 360,
18/9 = 18 × 40/9 × 40 = 720/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 45/360 < 720/360 or 5/40 < 18/9
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