Compare 21/16 and 40/15
1st number: 1 5/16, 2nd number: 2 10/15
21/16 is smaller than 40/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 15 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 15 = 240,
21/16 = 21 × 15/16 × 15 = 315/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 16 = 240,
40/15 = 40 × 16/15 × 16 = 640/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 315/240 < 640/240 or 21/16 < 40/15
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