Compare 21/9 and 72/12
1st number: 2 3/9, 2nd number: 6 0/12
21/9 is smaller than 72/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 12 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
21/9 = 21 × 4/9 × 4 = 84/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 3 = 36,
72/12 = 72 × 3/12 × 3 = 216/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/36 < 216/36 or 21/9 < 72/12
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