Compare 36/98 and 21/4
1st number: 36/98, 2nd number: 5 1/4
36/98 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 98 and 4 is 196
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 196 - For the 1st fraction, since 98 × 2 = 196,
36/98 = 36 × 2/98 × 2 = 72/196 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 49 = 196,
21/4 = 21 × 49/4 × 49 = 1029/196 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 72/196 < 1029/196 or 36/98 < 21/4
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