Compare 56/84 and 40/5, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 56/84 and 40/5

1^st number: 56/84, 2^nd number: 8 0/5

56/84 is smaller than 40/5

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 5 is 420

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420
For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
56/84 = 56 × 5/84 × 5 = 280/420
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 84 = 420,
40/5 = 40 × 84/5 × 84 = 3360/420
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
280/420 < 3360/420 or 56/84 < 40/5

MathStep (Works offline)

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