Compare 10/42 and 21/5
1st number: 10/42, 2nd number: 4 1/5
10/42 is smaller than 21/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 5 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
10/42 = 10 × 5/42 × 5 = 50/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 42 = 210,
21/5 = 21 × 42/5 × 42 = 882/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 50/210 < 882/210 or 10/42 < 21/5
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