Compare 56/36 and 21/4
1st number: 1 20/36, 2nd number: 5 1/4
56/36 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 4 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
56/36 = 56 × 1/36 × 1 = 56/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
21/4 = 21 × 9/4 × 9 = 189/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 56/36 < 189/36 or 56/36 < 21/4
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 56/36 and 42/4 56/72 and 21/4 56/36 and 21/8 56/36 and 63/4 56/36 and 21/12 56/36 and 21/20 56/36 and 21/28