Compare 7/42 and 21/9
1st number: 7/42, 2nd number: 2 3/9
7/42 is smaller than 21/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 9 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 3 = 126,
7/42 = 7 × 3/42 × 3 = 21/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 14 = 126,
21/9 = 21 × 14/9 × 14 = 294/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/126 < 294/126 or 7/42 < 21/9
MathStep (Works offline)
Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad
Related: 14/42 and 21/9 7/42 and 42/9 7/84 and 21/9 7/42 and 21/18 21/42 and 21/9 7/42 and 63/9 7/42 and 21/27 35/42 and 21/9 7/42 and 21/45 49/42 and 21/9 7/42 and 21/63