Compare 1/7 and 72/18
1st number: 1/7, 2nd number: 4 0/18
1/7 is smaller than 72/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 7 and 18 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 7 × 18 = 126,
1/7 = 1 × 18/7 × 18 = 18/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
72/18 = 72 × 7/18 × 7 = 504/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 18/126 < 504/126 or 1/7 < 72/18
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