Compare 42/16 and 56/21
1st number: 2 10/16, 2nd number: 2 14/21
42/16 is smaller than 56/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 21 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
42/16 = 42 × 21/16 × 21 = 882/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
56/21 = 56 × 16/21 × 16 = 896/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 882/336 < 896/336 or 42/16 < 56/21
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