Compare 42/50 and 16/7
1st number: 42/50, 2nd number: 2 2/7
42/50 is smaller than 16/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 7 is 350
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 350 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 7 = 350,
42/50 = 42 × 7/50 × 7 = 294/350 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 50 = 350,
16/7 = 16 × 50/7 × 50 = 800/350 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/350 < 800/350 or 42/50 < 16/7
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