Compare 12/21 and 98/42
1st number: 12/21, 2nd number: 2 14/42
12/21 is smaller than 98/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 2 = 42,
12/21 = 12 × 2/21 × 2 = 24/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
98/42 = 98 × 1/42 × 1 = 98/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 24/42 < 98/42 or 12/21 < 98/42
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