Compare 42/15 and 21/7
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 3 0/7
42/15 is smaller than 21/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 7 is 105
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 105 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 7 = 105,
42/15 = 42 × 7/15 × 7 = 294/105 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 15 = 105,
21/7 = 21 × 15/7 × 15 = 315/105 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/105 < 315/105 or 42/15 < 21/7
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