Compare 12/72 and 21/80
12/72 is smaller than 21/80
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 80 is 720
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 720 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 10 = 720,
12/72 = 12 × 10/72 × 10 = 120/720 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 80 × 9 = 720,
21/80 = 21 × 9/80 × 9 = 189/720 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 120/720 < 189/720 or 12/72 < 21/80
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