Compare 21/98 and 42/40
1st number: 21/98, 2nd number: 1 2/40
21/98 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 98 and 40 is 1960
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1960 - For the 1st fraction, since 98 × 20 = 1960,
21/98 = 21 × 20/98 × 20 = 420/1960 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 49 = 1960,
42/40 = 42 × 49/40 × 49 = 2058/1960 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 420/1960 < 2058/1960 or 21/98 < 42/40
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