Compare 42/32 and 21/5
1st number: 1 10/32, 2nd number: 4 1/5
42/32 is smaller than 21/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 5 is 160
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 160 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 5 = 160,
42/32 = 42 × 5/32 × 5 = 210/160 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 32 = 160,
21/5 = 21 × 32/5 × 32 = 672/160 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/160 < 672/160 or 42/32 < 21/5
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