Compare 12/72 and 42/36
1st number: 12/72, 2nd number: 1 6/36
12/72 is smaller than 42/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 36 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
12/72 = 12 × 1/72 × 1 = 12/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
42/36 = 42 × 2/36 × 2 = 84/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 12/72 < 84/72 or 12/72 < 42/36
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