Compare 8/21 and 40/36
1st number: 8/21, 2nd number: 1 4/36
8/21 is smaller than 40/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 36 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 12 = 252,
8/21 = 8 × 12/21 × 12 = 96/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
40/36 = 40 × 7/36 × 7 = 280/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 96/252 < 280/252 or 8/21 < 40/36
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