Compare 36/72 and 16/5
1st number: 36/72, 2nd number: 3 1/5
36/72 is smaller than 16/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 5 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
36/72 = 36 × 5/72 × 5 = 180/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 72 = 360,
16/5 = 16 × 72/5 × 72 = 1152/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 180/360 < 1152/360 or 36/72 < 16/5
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