Compare 42/16 and 50/3
1st number: 2 10/16, 2nd number: 16 2/3
42/16 is smaller than 50/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 3 is 48
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 48 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 3 = 48,
42/16 = 42 × 3/16 × 3 = 126/48 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 16 = 48,
50/3 = 50 × 16/3 × 16 = 800/48 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/48 < 800/48 or 42/16 < 50/3
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