Compare 15/21 and 56/42
1st number: 15/21, 2nd number: 1 14/42
15/21 is smaller than 56/42
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,
15/21 = 15 × 2/21 × 2 = 30/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
56/42 = 56 × 1/42 × 1 = 56/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 30/42 < 56/42 or 15/21 < 56/42
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 30/21 and 56/42 15/42 and 56/42 15/21 and 56/84 45/21 and 56/42 15/63 and 56/42 75/21 and 56/42