Compare 21/72 and 56/21
1st number: 21/72, 2nd number: 2 14/21
21/72 is smaller than 56/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 21 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
21/72 = 21 × 7/72 × 7 = 147/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 24 = 504,
56/21 = 56 × 24/21 × 24 = 1344/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 147/504 < 1344/504 or 21/72 < 56/21
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