Compare 21/9 and 72/4
1st number: 2 3/9, 2nd number: 18 0/4
21/9 is smaller than 72/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 4 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 4 × 9 = 36,
72/4 = 72 × 9/4 × 9 = 648/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/36 < 648/36 or 21/9 < 72/4
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