Compare 42/48 and 28/21
1st number: 42/48, 2nd number: 1 7/21
42/48 is smaller than 28/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 21 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 7 = 336,
42/48 = 42 × 7/48 × 7 = 294/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
28/21 = 28 × 16/21 × 16 = 448/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/336 < 448/336 or 42/48 < 28/21
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