Compare 21/70 and 40/84
21/70 is smaller than 40/84
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 70 and 84 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 70 × 6 = 420,
21/70 = 21 × 6/70 × 6 = 126/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
40/84 = 40 × 5/84 × 5 = 200/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/420 < 200/420 or 21/70 < 40/84
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