Compare 81/2 and 21/4
1st number: 40 1/2, 2nd number: 5 1/4
81/2 is greater than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 4 is 4
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 4 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 2 = 4,
81/2 = 81 × 2/2 × 2 = 162/4 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 1 = 4,
21/4 = 21 × 1/4 × 1 = 21/4 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 162/4 > 21/4 or 81/2 > 21/4
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