Compare 21/72 and 7/3
1st number: 21/72, 2nd number: 2 1/3
21/72 is smaller than 7/3
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 3 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
21/72 = 21 × 1/72 × 1 = 21/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 3 × 24 = 72,
7/3 = 7 × 24/3 × 24 = 168/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 21/72 < 168/72 or 21/72 < 7/3
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