Compare 45/42 and 16/3
1st number: 1 3/42, 2nd number: 5 1/3
45/42 is smaller than 16/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 3 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
45/42 = 45 × 1/42 × 1 = 45/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 14 = 42,
16/3 = 16 × 14/3 × 14 = 224/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 45/42 < 224/42 or 45/42 < 16/3
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