Compare 50/20 and 42/5
1st number: 2 10/20, 2nd number: 8 2/5
50/20 is smaller than 42/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 5 is 20
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 20 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 1 = 20,
50/20 = 50 × 1/20 × 1 = 50/20 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 4 = 20,
42/5 = 42 × 4/5 × 4 = 168/20 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 50/20 < 168/20 or 50/20 < 42/5
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