Compare 3/8 and 21/36
3/8 is smaller than 21/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 36 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
3/8 = 3 × 9/8 × 9 = 27/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
21/36 = 21 × 2/36 × 2 = 42/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 27/72 < 42/72 or 3/8 < 21/36
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