Compare 5/40 and 42/28
1st number: 5/40, 2nd number: 1 14/28
5/40 is smaller than 42/28
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 28 is 280
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 280 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 7 = 280,
5/40 = 5 × 7/40 × 7 = 35/280 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 28 × 10 = 280,
42/28 = 42 × 10/28 × 10 = 420/280 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 35/280 < 420/280 or 5/40 < 42/28
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