Compare 40/36 and 36/21
1st number: 1 4/36, 2nd number: 1 15/21
40/36 is smaller than 36/21
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 36 and 21 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 36 × 7 = 252,
40/36 = 40 × 7/36 × 7 = 280/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 12 = 252,
36/21 = 36 × 12/21 × 12 = 432/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 280/252 < 432/252 or 40/36 < 36/21
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