Compare 40/42 and 72/28
1st number: 40/42, 2nd number: 2 16/28
40/42 is smaller than 72/28
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 28 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 2 = 84,
40/42 = 40 × 2/42 × 2 = 80/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 28 × 3 = 84,
72/28 = 72 × 3/28 × 3 = 216/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 80/84 < 216/84 or 40/42 < 72/28
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