Compare 36/42 and 21/16
1st number: 36/42, 2nd number: 1 5/16
36/42 is smaller than 21/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
36/42 = 36 × 8/42 × 8 = 288/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
21/16 = 21 × 21/16 × 21 = 441/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 288/336 < 441/336 or 36/42 < 21/16
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