Compare 5/12 and 21/50
5/12 is smaller than 21/50
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 12 and 50 is 300
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 300 - For the 1st fraction, since 12 × 25 = 300,
5/12 = 5 × 25/12 × 25 = 125/300 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 50 × 6 = 300,
21/50 = 21 × 6/50 × 6 = 126/300 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 125/300 < 126/300 or 5/12 < 21/50
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