Compare 42/56 and 15/7
1st number: 42/56, 2nd number: 2 1/7
42/56 is smaller than 15/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 7 is 56
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 56 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 1 = 56,
42/56 = 42 × 1/56 × 1 = 42/56 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 8 = 56,
15/7 = 15 × 8/7 × 8 = 120/56 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/56 < 120/56 or 42/56 < 15/7
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