Compare 42/45 and 21/9
1st number: 42/45, 2nd number: 2 3/9
42/45 is smaller than 21/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 45 and 9 is 45
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 45 - For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 1 = 45,
42/45 = 42 × 1/45 × 1 = 42/45 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 5 = 45,
21/9 = 21 × 5/9 × 5 = 105/45 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/45 < 105/45 or 42/45 < 21/9
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