Compare 16/40 and 21/10
1st number: 16/40, 2nd number: 2 1/10
16/40 is smaller than 21/10
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 10 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
16/40 = 16 × 1/40 × 1 = 16/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 4 = 40,
21/10 = 21 × 4/10 × 4 = 84/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 16/40 < 84/40 or 16/40 < 21/10
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 32/40 and 21/10 16/40 and 42/10 16/80 and 21/10 16/40 and 21/20 48/40 and 21/10 16/40 and 63/10 16/40 and 21/30 80/40 and 21/10 16/40 and 21/50 16/40 and 21/70