Compare 42/20 and 21/5
1st number: 2 2/20, 2nd number: 4 1/5
42/20 is smaller than 21/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 5 is 20
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 20 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 1 = 20,
42/20 = 42 × 1/20 × 1 = 42/20 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 4 = 20,
21/5 = 21 × 4/5 × 4 = 84/20 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/20 < 84/20 or 42/20 < 21/5
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/20 and 21/5 42/20 and 42/5 42/40 and 21/5 42/20 and 21/10 42/20 and 63/5 42/60 and 21/5 42/20 and 21/15 42/20 and 21/25 42/20 and 21/35