Compare 40/42 and 21/72
40/42 is greater than 21/72
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 72 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 12 = 504,
40/42 = 40 × 12/42 × 12 = 480/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
21/72 = 21 × 7/72 × 7 = 147/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 480/504 > 147/504 or 40/42 > 21/72
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