Compare 42/56 and 2/16
42/56 is greater than 2/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 16 is 112
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 112 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 2 = 112,
42/56 = 42 × 2/56 × 2 = 84/112 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 7 = 112,
2/16 = 2 × 7/16 × 7 = 14/112 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/112 > 14/112 or 42/56 > 2/16
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