Compare 36/84 and 25/16
1st number: 36/84, 2nd number: 1 9/16
36/84 is smaller than 25/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 4 = 336,
36/84 = 36 × 4/84 × 4 = 144/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
25/16 = 25 × 21/16 × 21 = 525/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/336 < 525/336 or 36/84 < 25/16
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