Compare 3/2 and 72/21
1st number: 1 1/2, 2nd number: 3 9/21
3/2 is smaller than 72/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 21 is 42
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 42 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 21 = 42,
3/2 = 3 × 21/2 × 21 = 63/42 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 2 = 42,
72/21 = 72 × 2/21 × 2 = 144/42 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 63/42 < 144/42 or 3/2 < 72/21
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