Compare 42/36 and 7/21
1st number: 1 6/36, 2nd number: 7/21
42/36 is greater than 7/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 21 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 21 × 12 = 252,
7/21 = 7 × 12/21 × 12 = 84/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/252 > 84/252 or 42/36 > 7/21
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