Compare 2/40 and 72/5
1st number: 2/40, 2nd number: 14 2/5
2/40 is smaller than 72/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 5 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
2/40 = 2 × 1/40 × 1 = 2/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 8 = 40,
72/5 = 72 × 8/5 × 8 = 576/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 2/40 < 576/40 or 2/40 < 72/5
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