Compare 16/21 and 48/12
1st number: 16/21, 2nd number: 4 0/12
16/21 is smaller than 48/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 12 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 4 = 84,
16/21 = 16 × 4/21 × 4 = 64/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 7 = 84,
48/12 = 48 × 7/12 × 7 = 336/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 64/84 < 336/84 or 16/21 < 48/12
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