Compare 21/20 and 72/40
1st number: 1 1/20, 2nd number: 1 32/40
21/20 is smaller than 72/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 2 = 40,
21/20 = 21 × 2/20 × 2 = 42/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
72/40 = 72 × 1/40 × 1 = 72/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/40 < 72/40 or 21/20 < 72/40
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