Compare 72/21 and 42/48
1st number: 3 9/21, 2nd number: 42/48
72/21 is greater than 42/48
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 48 is 336
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 336 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 16 = 336,
72/21 = 72 × 16/21 × 16 = 1152/336 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 48 × 7 = 336,
42/48 = 42 × 7/48 × 7 = 294/336 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1152/336 > 294/336 or 72/21 > 42/48
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