Compare 4/21 and 32/40
4/21 is smaller than 32/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 40 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 40 = 840,
4/21 = 4 × 40/21 × 40 = 160/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
32/40 = 32 × 21/40 × 21 = 672/840 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 160/840 < 672/840 or 4/21 < 32/40
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