Compare 42/2 and 84/3
1st number: 21 0/2, 2nd number: 28 0/3
42/2 is smaller than 84/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 3 is 6
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 6 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 3 = 6,
42/2 = 42 × 3/2 × 3 = 126/6 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 2 = 6,
84/3 = 84 × 2/3 × 2 = 168/6 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/6 < 168/6 or 42/2 < 84/3
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