Compare 5/42 and 7/12
542 is smaller than 712
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 12 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
542 = 5 × 242 × 2 = 1084 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
712 = 7 × 712 × 7 = 4984 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1084 < 4984 or 542 < 712
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