Compare 36/75 and 21/42
36/75 is smaller than 21/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 75 and 42 is 1050
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1050 - For the 1st fraction, since 75 × 14 = 1050,
36/75 = 36 × 14/75 × 14 = 504/1050 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 25 = 1050,
21/42 = 21 × 25/42 × 25 = 525/1050 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 504/1050 < 525/1050 or 36/75 < 21/42
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