Compare 7/16 and 21/40
7/16 is smaller than 21/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 40 is 80
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 80 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 5 = 80,
7/16 = 7 × 5/16 × 5 = 35/80 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 2 = 80,
21/40 = 21 × 2/40 × 2 = 42/80 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 35/80 < 42/80 or 7/16 < 21/40
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/16 and 21/40 7/16 and 42/40 7/32 and 21/40 7/16 and 21/80 21/16 and 21/40 7/16 and 63/40 7/48 and 21/40 35/16 and 21/40 7/80 and 21/40 49/16 and 21/40