Compare 40/72 and 15/6
1st number: 40/72, 2nd number: 2 3/6
40/72 is smaller than 15/6
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 6 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
40/72 = 40 × 1/72 × 1 = 40/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 6 × 12 = 72,
15/6 = 15 × 12/6 × 12 = 180/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 40/72 < 180/72 or 40/72 < 15/6
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