Compare 42/5 and 21/18
1st number: 8 2/5, 2nd number: 1 3/18
42/5 is greater than 21/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 18 is 90
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 90 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 18 = 90,
42/5 = 42 × 18/5 × 18 = 756/90 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 5 = 90,
21/18 = 21 × 5/18 × 5 = 105/90 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 756/90 > 105/90 or 42/5 > 21/18
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