Compare 5/42 and 40/10, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 5/42 and 40/10

1^st number: 5/42, 2^nd number: 4 0/10

5/42 is smaller than 40/10

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 10 is 210

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210
For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
5/42 = 5 × 5/42 × 5 = 25/210
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 21 = 210,
40/10 = 40 × 21/10 × 21 = 840/210
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
25/210 < 840/210 or 5/42 < 40/10

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad