Compare 42/36 and 21/3
1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 7 0/3
42/36 is smaller than 21/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 3 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
42/36 = 42 × 1/36 × 1 = 42/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 12 = 36,
21/3 = 21 × 12/3 × 12 = 252/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/36 < 252/36 or 42/36 < 21/3
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