Compare 36/21 and 45/42
1st number: 1 15/21, 2nd number: 1 3/42
36/21 is greater than 45/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 42 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 2 = 42,
36/21 = 36 × 2/21 × 2 = 72/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
45/42 = 45 × 1/42 × 1 = 45/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/42 > 45/42 or 36/21 > 45/42
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