Compare 2/40 and 21/16
1st number: 2/40, 2nd number: 1 5/16
2/40 is smaller than 21/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 16 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
2/40 = 2 × 2/40 × 2 = 4/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
21/16 = 21 × 5/16 × 5 = 105/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 4/80 < 105/80 or 2/40 < 21/16
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