Compare 50/42 and 18/36
1st number: 1 8/42, 2nd number: 18/36
50/42 is greater than 18/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- 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 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 6 = 252,
50/42 = 50 × 6/42 × 6 = 300/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
18/36 = 18 × 7/36 × 7 = 126/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 300/252 > 126/252 or 50/42 > 18/36
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