Compare 16/27 and 42/36
1st number: 16/27, 2nd number: 1 6/36
16/27 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 27 and 36 is 108
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 108 - For the 1st fraction, since 27 × 4 = 108,
16/27 = 16 × 4/27 × 4 = 64/108 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 3 = 108,
42/36 = 42 × 3/36 × 3 = 126/108 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 64/108 < 126/108 or 16/27 < 42/36
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