Compare 12/72 and 50/9
1st number: 12/72, 2nd number: 5 5/9
12/72 is smaller than 50/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 9 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 9 × 8 = 72,
50/9 = 50 × 8/9 × 8 = 400/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 12/72 < 400/72 or 12/72 < 50/9
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