Compare 18/21 and 42/8
1st number: 18/21, 2nd number: 5 2/8
18/21 is smaller than 42/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 8 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 8 = 168,
18/21 = 18 × 8/21 × 8 = 144/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
42/8 = 42 × 21/8 × 21 = 882/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/168 < 882/168 or 18/21 < 42/8
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