Compare 21/9 and 72/40
1st number: 2 3/9, 2nd number: 1 32/40
21/9 is greater than 72/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 40 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 40 = 360,
21/9 = 21 × 40/9 × 40 = 840/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
72/40 = 72 × 9/40 × 9 = 648/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 840/360 > 648/360 or 21/9 > 72/40
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