Answers

Compare 42/63 and 56/40

1^st number: 42/63, 2^nd number: 1 16/40

42/63 is smaller than 56/40

Steps for comparing fractions

1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
   LCM of 63 and 40 is 2520
   
   Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 2520
2. For the 1st fraction, since 63 × 40 = 2520,
   42/63 = 42 × 40/63 × 40 = 1680/2520
3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 63 = 2520,
   56/40 = 56 × 63/40 × 63 = 3528/2520
4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
5. 1680/2520 < 3528/2520 or 42/63 < 56/40

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad

Related: ⁸⁴/₆₃ and ⁵⁶/₄₀ ⁴²/₆₃ and ⁵⁶/₈₀

Compare Fractions Calculator