Answers

Compare 8/42 and 42/21

1^st number: 8/42, 2^nd number: 2 0/21

8/42 is smaller than 42/21

Steps for comparing fractions

1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
   LCM of 42 and 21 is 42
   
   Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42
2. For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 1 = 42,
   8/42 = 8 × 1/42 × 1 = 8/42
3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 2 = 42,
   42/21 = 42 × 2/21 × 2 = 84/42
4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
5. 8/42 < 84/42 or 8/42 < 42/21

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