Compare 21/42 and 5/3
1st number: 21/42, 2nd number: 1 2/3
21/42 is smaller than 5/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 3 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
21/42 = 21 × 1/42 × 1 = 21/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 14 = 42,
5/3 = 5 × 14/3 × 14 = 70/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/42 < 70/42 or 21/42 < 5/3
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