Compare 1/3 and 72/7
1st number: 1/3, 2nd number: 10 2/7
1/3 is smaller than 72/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 3 and 7 is 21
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 21 - For the 1st fraction, since 3 × 7 = 21,
1/3 = 1 × 7/3 × 7 = 7/21 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 3 = 21,
72/7 = 72 × 3/7 × 3 = 216/21 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 7/21 < 216/21 or 1/3 < 72/7
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