Compare 40/36 and 20/72
1st number: 1 4/36, 2nd number: 20/72
40/36 is greater than 20/72
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 72 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 2 = 72,
40/36 = 40 × 2/36 × 2 = 80/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
20/72 = 20 × 1/72 × 1 = 20/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/72 > 20/72 or 40/36 > 20/72
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