Compare 42/15 and 21/4
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 5 1/4
42/15 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 4 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 4 = 60,
42/15 = 42 × 4/15 × 4 = 168/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 15 = 60,
21/4 = 21 × 15/4 × 15 = 315/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/60 < 315/60 or 42/15 < 21/4
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