Compare 42/81 and 21/27
42/81 is smaller than 21/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 81 and 27 is 81
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 81 - For the 1st fraction, since 81 × 1 = 81,
42/81 = 42 × 1/81 × 1 = 42/81 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 3 = 81,
21/27 = 21 × 3/27 × 3 = 63/81 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/81 < 63/81 or 42/81 < 21/27
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