Compare 3/21 and 40/14
1st number: 3/21, 2nd number: 2 12/14
3/21 is smaller than 40/14
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 14 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 2 = 42,
3/21 = 3 × 2/21 × 2 = 6/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 14 × 3 = 42,
40/14 = 40 × 3/14 × 3 = 120/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 6/42 < 120/42 or 3/21 < 40/14
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