Compare 40/70 and 56/84
40/70 is smaller than 56/84
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 70 and 84 is 420
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 420 - For the 1st fraction, since 70 × 6 = 420,
40/70 = 40 × 6/70 × 6 = 240/420 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 84 × 5 = 420,
56/84 = 56 × 5/84 × 5 = 280/420 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 240/420 < 280/420 or 40/70 < 56/84
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