Compare 21/27 and 72/16
1st number: 21/27, 2nd number: 4 8/16
21/27 is smaller than 72/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 27 and 16 is 432
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 432 - For the 1st fraction, since 27 × 16 = 432,
21/27 = 21 × 16/27 × 16 = 336/432 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 27 = 432,
72/16 = 72 × 27/16 × 27 = 1944/432 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/432 < 1944/432 or 21/27 < 72/16
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