Compare 3/8 and 49/36
1st number: 3/8, 2nd number: 1 13/36
3/8 is smaller than 49/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 8 and 36 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
3/8 = 3 × 9/8 × 9 = 27/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
49/36 = 49 × 2/36 × 2 = 98/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 27/72 < 98/72 or 3/8 < 49/36
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