Compare 7/40 and 49/42
1st number: 7/40, 2nd number: 1 7/42
7/40 is smaller than 49/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 42 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
7/40 = 7 × 21/40 × 21 = 147/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 20 = 840,
49/42 = 49 × 20/42 × 20 = 980/840 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 147/840 < 980/840 or 7/40 < 49/42
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