Compare 3/72 and 42/18
1st number: 3/72, 2nd number: 2 6/18
3/72 is smaller than 42/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 18 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
3/72 = 3 × 1/72 × 1 = 3/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
42/18 = 42 × 4/18 × 4 = 168/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 3/72 < 168/72 or 3/72 < 42/18
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