Compare 1/2 and 7/4
1st number: 1/2, 2nd number: 1 3/4
12 is smaller than 74
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,
12 = 1 × 22 × 2 = 24 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 1 = 4,
74 = 7 × 14 × 1 = 74 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 24 < 74 or 12 < 74
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