Compare 21/18 and 48/36
1st number: 1 3/18, 2nd number: 1 12/36
21/18 is smaller than 48/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 36 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
21/18 = 21 × 2/18 × 2 = 42/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
48/36 = 48 × 1/36 × 1 = 48/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/36 < 48/36 or 21/18 < 48/36
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