Compare 35/42 and 40/72
35/42 is greater than 40/72
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 72 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 12 = 504,
35/42 = 35 × 12/42 × 12 = 420/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
40/72 = 40 × 7/72 × 7 = 280/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 420/504 > 280/504 or 35/42 > 40/72
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