Compare 42/48 and 21/9
1st number: 42/48, 2nd number: 2 3/9
42/48 is smaller than 21/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 9 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
42/48 = 42 × 3/48 × 3 = 126/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 16 = 144,
21/9 = 21 × 16/9 × 16 = 336/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/144 < 336/144 or 42/48 < 21/9
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