Compare 21/42 and 7/5
1st number: 21/42, 2nd number: 1 2/5
21/42 is smaller than 7/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 5 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
21/42 = 21 × 5/42 × 5 = 105/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 42 = 210,
7/5 = 7 × 42/5 × 42 = 294/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 105/210 < 294/210 or 21/42 < 7/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 21/42 and 14/5 21/84 and 7/5 21/42 and 7/10 63/42 and 7/5 21/42 and 21/5 21/42 and 7/15 21/42 and 35/5 21/42 and 7/25 21/42 and 49/5 21/42 and 7/35