Compare 30/72 and 21/15
1st number: 30/72, 2nd number: 1 6/15
30/72 is smaller than 21/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 15 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
30/72 = 30 × 5/72 × 5 = 150/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 24 = 360,
21/15 = 21 × 24/15 × 24 = 504/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 150/360 < 504/360 or 30/72 < 21/15
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