Compare 42/50 and 16/3
1st number: 42/50, 2nd number: 5 1/3
42/50 is smaller than 16/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 3 is 150
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 150 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 3 = 150,
42/50 = 42 × 3/50 × 3 = 126/150 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 50 = 150,
16/3 = 16 × 50/3 × 50 = 800/150 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/150 < 800/150 or 42/50 < 16/3
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