Compare 3/9 and 42/49
3/9 is smaller than 42/49
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 49 is 441
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 441 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 49 = 441,
3/9 = 3 × 49/9 × 49 = 147/441 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 49 × 9 = 441,
42/49 = 42 × 9/49 × 9 = 378/441 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 147/441 < 378/441 or 3/9 < 42/49
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