Compare 42/56 and 21/18
1st number: 42/56, 2nd number: 1 3/18
42/56 is smaller than 21/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 18 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 9 = 504,
42/56 = 42 × 9/56 × 9 = 378/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 28 = 504,
21/18 = 21 × 28/18 × 28 = 588/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 378/504 < 588/504 or 42/56 < 21/18
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