Compare 84/42 and 20/9
1st number: 2 0/42, 2nd number: 2 2/9
84/42 is smaller than 20/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 9 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 9 × 14 = 126,
20/9 = 20 × 14/9 × 14 = 280/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 252/126 < 280/126 or 84/42 < 20/9
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