Compare 1/2 and 72/27
1st number: 1/2, 2nd number: 2 18/27
1/2 is smaller than 72/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 27 is 54
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 54 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 27 = 54,
1/2 = 1 × 27/2 × 27 = 27/54 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 2 = 54,
72/27 = 72 × 2/27 × 2 = 144/54 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 27/54 < 144/54 or 1/2 < 72/27
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