Compare 16/36 and 42/21
1st number: 16/36, 2nd number: 2 0/21
16/36 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 21 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
16/36 = 16 × 7/36 × 7 = 112/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 12 = 252,
42/21 = 42 × 12/21 × 12 = 504/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 112/252 < 504/252 or 16/36 < 42/21
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