Compare 21/45 and 42/16
1st number: 21/45, 2nd number: 2 10/16
21/45 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 45 and 16 is 720
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 720 - For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 16 = 720,
21/45 = 21 × 16/45 × 16 = 336/720 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 45 = 720,
42/16 = 42 × 45/16 × 45 = 1890/720 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/720 < 1890/720 or 21/45 < 42/16
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