Compare 16/50 and 36/42
16/50 is smaller than 36/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 42 is 1050
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1050 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 21 = 1050,
16/50 = 16 × 21/50 × 21 = 336/1050 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 25 = 1050,
36/42 = 36 × 25/42 × 25 = 900/1050 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/1050 < 900/1050 or 16/50 < 36/42
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