Compare 5/50 and 42/21
1st number: 5/50, 2nd number: 2 0/21
5/50 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 50 and 21 is 1050
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 1050 - For the 1st fraction, since 50 × 21 = 1050,
5/50 = 5 × 21/50 × 21 = 105/1050 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 50 = 1050,
42/21 = 42 × 50/21 × 50 = 2100/1050 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 105/1050 < 2100/1050 or 5/50 < 42/21
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