Compare 21/2 and 18/42
1st number: 10 1/2, 2nd number: 18/42
21/2 is greater than 18/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 21 = 42,
21/2 = 21 × 21/2 × 21 = 441/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
18/42 = 18 × 1/42 × 1 = 18/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 441/42 > 18/42 or 21/2 > 18/42
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