Compare 7/40 and 21/15
1st number: 7/40, 2nd number: 1 6/15
7/40 is smaller than 21/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 15 is 120
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 120 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 3 = 120,
7/40 = 7 × 3/40 × 3 = 21/120 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 8 = 120,
21/15 = 21 × 8/15 × 8 = 168/120 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/120 < 168/120 or 7/40 < 21/15
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/40 and 21/15 7/40 and 42/15 7/80 and 21/15 7/40 and 21/30 21/40 and 21/15 7/40 and 63/15 7/40 and 21/45 35/40 and 21/15 7/40 and 21/75 49/40 and 21/15