Compare 7/16 and 42/56
7/16 is smaller than 42/56
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 56 is 112
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 112 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 7 = 112,
7/16 = 7 × 7/16 × 7 = 49/112 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 56 × 2 = 112,
42/56 = 42 × 2/56 × 2 = 84/112 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 49/112 < 84/112 or 7/16 < 42/56
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