Compare 14/16 and 84/72
1st number: 14/16, 2nd number: 1 12/72
14/16 is smaller than 84/72
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 72 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
14/16 = 14 × 9/16 × 9 = 126/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
84/72 = 84 × 2/72 × 2 = 168/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/144 < 168/144 or 14/16 < 84/72
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