Compare 40/72 and 21/10
1st number: 40/72, 2nd number: 2 1/10
40/72 is smaller than 21/10
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 10 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
40/72 = 40 × 5/72 × 5 = 200/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 10 × 36 = 360,
21/10 = 21 × 36/10 × 36 = 756/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/360 < 756/360 or 40/72 < 21/10
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