Compare 8/84 and 42/21
1st number: 8/84, 2nd number: 2 0/21
8/84 is smaller than 42/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 21 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 1 = 84,
8/84 = 8 × 1/84 × 1 = 8/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 4 = 84,
42/21 = 42 × 4/21 × 4 = 168/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 8/84 < 168/84 or 8/84 < 42/21
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