Compare 15/21 and 48/36
1st number: 15/21, 2nd number: 1 12/36
15/21 is smaller than 48/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 12 = 252,
15/21 = 15 × 12/21 × 12 = 180/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
48/36 = 48 × 7/36 × 7 = 336/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 180/252 < 336/252 or 15/21 < 48/36
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