Compare 21/50 and 42/9
1st number: 21/50, 2nd number: 4 6/9
21/50 is smaller than 42/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 9 is 450
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 450 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 9 = 450,
21/50 = 21 × 9/50 × 9 = 189/450 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 50 = 450,
42/9 = 42 × 50/9 × 50 = 2100/450 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 189/450 < 2100/450 or 21/50 < 42/9
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