Compare 21/14 and 42/16
1st number: 1 7/14, 2nd number: 2 10/16
21/14 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 14 and 16 is 112
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 112 - For the 1st fraction, since 14 × 8 = 112,
21/14 = 21 × 8/14 × 8 = 168/112 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 7 = 112,
42/16 = 42 × 7/16 × 7 = 294/112 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/112 < 294/112 or 21/14 < 42/16
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