Compare 3/72 and 40/27
1st number: 3/72, 2nd number: 1 13/27
3/72 is smaller than 40/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 27 is 216
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 216 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 3 = 216,
3/72 = 3 × 3/72 × 3 = 9/216 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 8 = 216,
40/27 = 40 × 8/27 × 8 = 320/216 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 9/216 < 320/216 or 3/72 < 40/27
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