Compare 36/72 and 56/12
1st number: 36/72, 2nd number: 4 8/12
36/72 is smaller than 56/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 12 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
36/72 = 36 × 1/72 × 1 = 36/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 6 = 72,
56/12 = 56 × 6/12 × 6 = 336/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 36/72 < 336/72 or 36/72 < 56/12
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