Compare 42/18 and 21/7
1st number: 2 6/18, 2nd number: 3 0/7
42/18 is smaller than 21/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 7 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
42/18 = 42 × 7/18 × 7 = 294/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 18 = 126,
21/7 = 21 × 18/7 × 18 = 378/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/126 < 378/126 or 42/18 < 21/7
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