Compare 1/4 and 40/21
1st number: 1/4, 2nd number: 1 19/21
1/4 is smaller than 40/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 4 and 21 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 4 × 21 = 84,
1/4 = 1 × 21/4 × 21 = 21/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 4 = 84,
40/21 = 40 × 4/21 × 4 = 160/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/84 < 160/84 or 1/4 < 40/21
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