Compare 49/42 and 20/16
1st number: 1 7/42, 2nd number: 1 4/16
49/42 is smaller than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
49/42 = 49 × 8/42 × 8 = 392/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
20/16 = 20 × 21/16 × 21 = 420/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 392/336 < 420/336 or 49/42 < 20/16
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