Compare 7/84 and 42/40, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 7/84 and 42/40

1^st number: 7/84, 2^nd number: 1 2/40

7/84 is smaller than 42/40

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 40 is 840

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840
For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 10 = 840,
7/84 = 7 × 10/84 × 10 = 70/840
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 21 = 840,
42/40 = 42 × 21/40 × 21 = 882/840
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
70/840 < 882/840 or 7/84 < 42/40

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad