Compare 21/36 and 42/56
21/36 is smaller than 42/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 56 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 14 = 504,
21/36 = 21 × 14/36 × 14 = 294/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 9 = 504,
42/56 = 42 × 9/56 × 9 = 378/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/504 < 378/504 or 21/36 < 42/56
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