Compare 5/9 and 16/42
5/9 is greater than 16/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 42 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 14 = 126,
5/9 = 5 × 14/9 × 14 = 70/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
16/42 = 16 × 3/42 × 3 = 48/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 70/126 > 48/126 or 5/9 > 16/42
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 10/9 and 16/42 5/9 and 32/42 5/18 and 16/42 5/9 and 16/84 15/9 and 16/42 5/9 and 48/42 5/27 and 16/42 25/9 and 16/42 5/9 and 80/42 5/45 and 16/42 35/9 and 16/42 5/63 and 16/42