Compare 7/42 and 36/28
1st number: 7/42, 2nd number: 1 8/28
7/42 is smaller than 36/28
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 28 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
7/42 = 7 × 2/42 × 2 = 14/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 28 × 3 = 84,
36/28 = 36 × 3/28 × 3 = 108/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 14/84 < 108/84 or 7/42 < 36/28
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