Compare 21/18 and 42/24
1st number: 1 3/18, 2nd number: 1 18/24
21/18 is smaller than 42/24
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 24 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
21/18 = 21 × 4/18 × 4 = 84/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 24 × 3 = 72,
42/24 = 42 × 3/24 × 3 = 126/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/72 < 126/72 or 21/18 < 42/24
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