Compare 42/28 and 32/21
1st number: 1 14/28, 2nd number: 1 11/21
42/28 is smaller than 32/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 28 and 21 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 28 × 3 = 84,
42/28 = 42 × 3/28 × 3 = 126/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 4 = 84,
32/21 = 32 × 4/21 × 4 = 128/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/84 < 128/84 or 42/28 < 32/21
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