Compare 21/16 and 40/12
1st number: 1 5/16, 2nd number: 3 4/12
21/16 is smaller than 40/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 12 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
21/16 = 21 × 3/16 × 3 = 63/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 4 = 48,
40/12 = 40 × 4/12 × 4 = 160/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 63/48 < 160/48 or 21/16 < 40/12
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