Compare 5/40 and 36/24
1st number: 5/40, 2nd number: 1 12/24
5/40 is smaller than 36/24
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 24 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
5/40 = 5 × 3/40 × 3 = 15/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 24 × 5 = 120,
36/24 = 36 × 5/24 × 5 = 180/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 15/120 < 180/120 or 5/40 < 36/24
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