Compare 1/2 and 7/3
1st number: 1/2, 2nd number: 2 1/3
12 is smaller than 73
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 3 is 6
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 6 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 3 = 6,
12 = 1 × 32 × 3 = 36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 2 = 6,
73 = 7 × 23 × 2 = 146 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36 < 146 or 12 < 73
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