Compare 15/72 and 48/21, Which fraction is greater?

Compare 15/72 and 48/21

1^st number: 15/72, 2^nd number: 2 6/21

15/72 is smaller than 48/21

Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 21 is 504

Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504
For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
15/72 = 15 × 7/72 × 7 = 105/504
Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 24 = 504,
48/21 = 48 × 24/21 × 24 = 1152/504
Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
105/504 < 1152/504 or 15/72 < 48/21

MathStep (Works offline)

Download our mobile app and learn to work with fractions in your own time:
Android and iPhone/ iPad