Compare 5/9 and 42/21
1st number: 5/9, 2nd number: 2 0/21
5/9 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 21 is 63
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 63 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 7 = 63,
5/9 = 5 × 7/9 × 7 = 35/63 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 3 = 63,
42/21 = 42 × 3/21 × 3 = 126/63 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 35/63 < 126/63 or 5/9 < 42/21
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 42/21 5/9 and 84/21 5/18 and 42/21 15/9 and 42/21 5/27 and 42/21 5/9 and 42/63 25/9 and 42/21 5/45 and 42/21 35/9 and 42/21 5/63 and 42/21