Compare 7/40 and 20/16
1st number: 7/40, 2nd number: 1 4/16
7/40 is smaller than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
7/40 = 7 × 2/40 × 2 = 14/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
20/16 = 20 × 5/16 × 5 = 100/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 14/80 < 100/80 or 7/40 < 20/16
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