Compare 40/56 and 21/9
1st number: 40/56, 2nd number: 2 3/9
40/56 is smaller than 21/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 9 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 9 = 504,
40/56 = 40 × 9/56 × 9 = 360/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 56 = 504,
21/9 = 21 × 56/9 × 56 = 1176/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 360/504 < 1176/504 or 40/56 < 21/9
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