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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 1/5 and 16/42

1/5 is smaller than 16/42

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 5 and 42 is 210

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 42 = 210,
    1/5 = 1 × 42/5 × 42 = 42/210
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
    16/42 = 16 × 5/42 × 5 = 80/210
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 42/210 < 80/210 or 1/5 < 16/42

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