Compare 1/3 and 12/21
1/3 is smaller than 12/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 21 is 21
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 21 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 7 = 21,
1/3 = 1 × 7/3 × 7 = 7/21 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 1 = 21,
12/21 = 12 × 1/21 × 1 = 12/21 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 7/21 < 12/21 or 1/3 < 12/21
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