Compare 42/36 and 21/14
1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 1 7/14
42/36 is smaller than 21/14
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 14 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
42/36 = 42 × 7/36 × 7 = 294/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 14 × 18 = 252,
21/14 = 21 × 18/14 × 18 = 378/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/252 < 378/252 or 42/36 < 21/14
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