Compare 40/48 and 36/21
1st number: 40/48, 2nd number: 1 15/21
40/48 is smaller than 36/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 21 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 7 = 336,
40/48 = 40 × 7/48 × 7 = 280/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
36/21 = 36 × 16/21 × 16 = 576/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 280/336 < 576/336 or 40/48 < 36/21
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