Compare 21/15 and 42/16
1st number: 1 6/15, 2nd number: 2 10/16
21/15 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 16 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 16 = 240,
21/15 = 21 × 16/15 × 16 = 336/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 15 = 240,
42/16 = 42 × 15/16 × 15 = 630/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/240 < 630/240 or 21/15 < 42/16
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