Compare 21/2 and 56/3
1st number: 10 1/2, 2nd number: 18 2/3
21/2 is smaller than 56/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 3 is 6
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 6 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 3 = 6,
21/2 = 21 × 3/2 × 3 = 63/6 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 2 = 6,
56/3 = 56 × 2/3 × 2 = 112/6 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 63/6 < 112/6 or 21/2 < 56/3
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