Compare 7/48 and 21/18
1st number: 7/48, 2nd number: 1 3/18
7/48 is smaller than 21/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 48 and 18 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 48 × 3 = 144,
7/48 = 7 × 3/48 × 3 = 21/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
21/18 = 21 × 8/18 × 8 = 168/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/144 < 168/144 or 7/48 < 21/18
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