Compare 5/21 and 42/16
1st number: 5/21, 2nd number: 2 10/16
5/21 is smaller than 42/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
5/21 = 5 × 16/21 × 16 = 80/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
42/16 = 42 × 21/16 × 21 = 882/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/336 < 882/336 or 5/21 < 42/16
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