Compare 5/21 and 84/56
1st number: 5/21, 2nd number: 1 28/56
5/21 is smaller than 84/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 56 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 8 = 168,
5/21 = 5 × 8/21 × 8 = 40/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 3 = 168,
84/56 = 84 × 3/56 × 3 = 252/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 40/168 < 252/168 or 5/21 < 84/56
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