Compare 5/2 and 42/81
1st number: 2 1/2, 2nd number: 42/81
5/2 is greater than 42/81
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 81 is 162
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 162 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 81 = 162,
5/2 = 5 × 81/2 × 81 = 405/162 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 81 × 2 = 162,
42/81 = 42 × 2/81 × 2 = 84/162 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 405/162 > 84/162 or 5/2 > 42/81
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