Compare 21/3 and 42/5
1st number: 7 0/3, 2nd number: 8 2/5
21/3 is smaller than 42/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 5 is 15
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 15 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 5 = 15,
21/3 = 21 × 5/3 × 5 = 105/15 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 3 = 15,
42/5 = 42 × 3/5 × 3 = 126/15 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 105/15 < 126/15 or 21/3 < 42/5
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