Compare 42/32 and 84/21
1st number: 1 10/32, 2nd number: 4 0/21
42/32 is smaller than 84/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 21 is 672
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 672 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 21 = 672,
42/32 = 42 × 21/32 × 21 = 882/672 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 32 = 672,
84/21 = 84 × 32/21 × 32 = 2688/672 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 882/672 < 2688/672 or 42/32 < 84/21
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