Compare 15/32 and 72/42
1st number: 15/32, 2nd number: 1 30/42
15/32 is smaller than 72/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 32 and 42 is 672
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 672 - For the 1st fraction, since 32 × 21 = 672,
15/32 = 15 × 21/32 × 21 = 315/672 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 16 = 672,
72/42 = 72 × 16/42 × 16 = 1152/672 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 315/672 < 1152/672 or 15/32 < 72/42
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