Compare 42/15 and 21/6
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 3 3/6
42/15 is smaller than 21/6
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 6 is 30
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 30 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 2 = 30,
42/15 = 42 × 2/15 × 2 = 84/30 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 6 × 5 = 30,
21/6 = 21 × 5/6 × 5 = 105/30 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/30 < 105/30 or 42/15 < 21/6
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