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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 5/42 and 16/36

5/42 is smaller than 16/36

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 42 and 36 is 252

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
    5/42 = 5 × 6/42 × 6 = 30/252
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
    16/36 = 16 × 7/36 × 7 = 112/252
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 30/252 < 112/252 or 5/42 < 16/36

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