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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 16/42 and 21/32

16/42 is smaller than 21/32

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 42 and 32 is 672

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 672
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 16 = 672,
    16/42 = 16 × 16/42 × 16 = 256/672
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 21 = 672,
    21/32 = 21 × 21/32 × 21 = 441/672
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 256/672 < 441/672 or 16/42 < 21/32

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