Compare 3/72 and 21/16
1st number: 3/72, 2nd number: 1 5/16
3/72 is smaller than 21/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
3/72 = 3 × 2/72 × 2 = 6/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
21/16 = 21 × 9/16 × 9 = 189/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 6/144 < 189/144 or 3/72 < 21/16
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