Answers

Compare 21/45 and 56/40

1^st number: 21/45, 2^nd number: 1 16/40

21/45 is smaller than 56/40

Steps for comparing fractions

1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
   LCM of 45 and 40 is 360
   
   Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360
2. For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 8 = 360,
   21/45 = 21 × 8/45 × 8 = 168/360
3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
   56/40 = 56 × 9/40 × 9 = 504/360
4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
5. 168/360 < 504/360 or 21/45 < 56/40

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