Compare 42/24 and 21/8
1st number: 1 18/24, 2nd number: 2 5/8
42/24 is smaller than 21/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 24 and 8 is 24
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 24 - For the 1st fraction, since 24 × 1 = 24,
42/24 = 42 × 1/24 × 1 = 42/24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 3 = 24,
21/8 = 21 × 3/8 × 3 = 63/24 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/24 < 63/24 or 42/24 < 21/8
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