Compare 21/60 and 42/9, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 21/60 and 42/9

1^st number: 21/60, 2^nd number: 4 6/9

21/60 is smaller than 42/9

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 60 and 9 is 180

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180
For the 1st fraction, since 60 × 3 = 180,
21/60 = 21 × 3/60 × 3 = 63/180
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 20 = 180,
42/9 = 42 × 20/9 × 20 = 840/180
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
63/180 < 840/180 or 21/60 < 42/9

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad