Compare 50/42 and 35/16
1st number: 1 8/42, 2nd number: 2 3/16
50/42 is smaller than 35/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 16 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 8 = 336,
50/42 = 50 × 8/42 × 8 = 400/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 21 = 336,
35/16 = 35 × 21/16 × 21 = 735/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 400/336 < 735/336 or 50/42 < 35/16
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