Compare 21/48 and 27/18
1st number: 21/48, 2nd number: 1 9/18
21/48 is smaller than 27/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 18 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
21/48 = 21 × 3/48 × 3 = 63/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
27/18 = 27 × 8/18 × 8 = 216/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 63/144 < 216/144 or 21/48 < 27/18
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