Compare 50/45 and 42/21
1st number: 1 5/45, 2nd number: 2 0/21
50/45 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 45 and 21 is 315
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 315 - For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 7 = 315,
50/45 = 50 × 7/45 × 7 = 350/315 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 15 = 315,
42/21 = 42 × 15/21 × 15 = 630/315 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 350/315 < 630/315 or 50/45 < 42/21
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