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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 40/72 and 12/21

40/72 is smaller than 12/21

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 72 and 21 is 504

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
    40/72 = 40 × 7/72 × 7 = 280/504
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 21 × 24 = 504,
    12/21 = 12 × 24/21 × 24 = 288/504
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 280/504 < 288/504 or 40/72 < 12/21

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