Compare 21/36 and 72/60
1st number: 21/36, 2nd number: 1 12/60
21/36 is smaller than 72/60
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 60 is 180
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 5 = 180,
21/36 = 21 × 5/36 × 5 = 105/180 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 60 × 3 = 180,
72/60 = 72 × 3/60 × 3 = 216/180 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 105/180 < 216/180 or 21/36 < 72/60
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