Compare 21/18 and 56/12
1st number: 1 3/18, 2nd number: 4 8/12
21/18 is smaller than 56/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 12 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 12 × 3 = 36,
56/12 = 56 × 3/12 × 3 = 168/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/36 < 168/36 or 21/18 < 56/12
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