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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 2/42 and 5/16

2/42 is smaller than 5/16

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 42 and 16 is 336

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
    2/42 = 2 × 8/42 × 8 = 16/336
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
    5/16 = 5 × 21/16 × 21 = 105/336
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 16/336 < 105/336 or 2/42 < 5/16

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