Compare 84/42 and 20/18
1st number: 2 0/42, 2nd number: 1 2/18
84/42 is greater than 20/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
84/42 = 84 × 3/42 × 3 = 252/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
20/18 = 20 × 7/18 × 7 = 140/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 252/126 > 140/126 or 84/42 > 20/18
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