Compare 21/36 and 42/15
1st number: 21/36, 2nd number: 2 12/15
21/36 is smaller than 42/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 15 is 180
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 5 = 180,
21/36 = 21 × 5/36 × 5 = 105/180 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 12 = 180,
42/15 = 42 × 12/15 × 12 = 504/180 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 105/180 < 504/180 or 21/36 < 42/15
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