Compare 36/18 and 21/8
1st number: 2 0/18, 2nd number: 2 5/8
36/18 is smaller than 21/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
36/18 = 36 × 4/18 × 4 = 144/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
21/8 = 21 × 9/8 × 9 = 189/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/72 < 189/72 or 36/18 < 21/8
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