Compare 21/9 and 42/16
1st number: 2 3/9, 2nd number: 2 10/16
21/9 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
21/9 = 21 × 16/9 × 16 = 336/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
42/16 = 42 × 9/16 × 9 = 378/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/144 < 378/144 or 21/9 < 42/16
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