Compare 21/36 and 15/9
1st number: 21/36, 2nd number: 1 6/9
21/36 is smaller than 15/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 9 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
21/36 = 21 × 1/36 × 1 = 21/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
15/9 = 15 × 4/9 × 4 = 60/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/36 < 60/36 or 21/36 < 15/9
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