Compare 21/18 and 72/4
1st number: 1 3/18, 2nd number: 18 0/4
21/18 is smaller than 72/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 4 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
21/18 = 21 × 2/18 × 2 = 42/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
72/4 = 72 × 9/4 × 9 = 648/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/36 < 648/36 or 21/18 < 72/4
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