Compare 36/45 and 72/42
1st number: 36/45, 2nd number: 1 30/42
36/45 is smaller than 72/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 45 and 42 is 630
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 630 - For the 1st fraction, since 45 × 14 = 630,
36/45 = 36 × 14/45 × 14 = 504/630 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 15 = 630,
72/42 = 72 × 15/42 × 15 = 1080/630 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 504/630 < 1080/630 or 36/45 < 72/42
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