Compare 42/60 and 42/21
1st number: 42/60, 2nd number: 2 0/21
42/60 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 60 and 21 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 60 × 7 = 420,
42/60 = 42 × 7/60 × 7 = 294/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 20 = 420,
42/21 = 42 × 20/21 × 20 = 840/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/420 < 840/420 or 42/60 < 42/21
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 84/60 and 42/21 42/60 and 84/21 42/60 and 42/63