Compare 35/40 and 42/21
1st number: 35/40, 2nd number: 2 0/21
35/40 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 21 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
35/40 = 35 × 21/40 × 21 = 735/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 40 = 840,
42/21 = 42 × 40/21 × 40 = 1680/840 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 735/840 < 1680/840 or 35/40 < 42/21
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