Compare 42/20 and 21/3
1st number: 2 2/20, 2nd number: 7 0/3
42/20 is smaller than 21/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 3 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
42/20 = 42 × 3/20 × 3 = 126/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 20 = 60,
21/3 = 21 × 20/3 × 20 = 420/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/60 < 420/60 or 42/20 < 21/3
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