Compare 84/40 and 42/15
1st number: 2 4/40, 2nd number: 2 12/15
84/40 is smaller than 42/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 15 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
84/40 = 84 × 3/40 × 3 = 252/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 8 = 120,
42/15 = 42 × 8/15 × 8 = 336/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 252/120 < 336/120 or 84/40 < 42/15
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