Compare 42/15 and 21/9
1st number: 2 12/15, 2nd number: 2 3/9
42/15 is greater than 21/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 9 is 45
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 45 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 3 = 45,
42/15 = 42 × 3/15 × 3 = 126/45 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 5 = 45,
21/9 = 21 × 5/9 × 5 = 105/45 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/45 > 105/45 or 42/15 > 21/9
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/15 and 21/9 42/15 and 42/9 42/30 and 21/9 42/15 and 21/18 42/15 and 63/9 42/45 and 21/9 42/15 and 21/27 42/75 and 21/9 42/15 and 21/45 42/15 and 21/63