Compare 40/72 and 45/5
1st number: 40/72, 2nd number: 9 0/5
40/72 is smaller than 45/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 5 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 5 × 72 = 360,
45/5 = 45 × 72/5 × 72 = 3240/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/360 < 3240/360 or 40/72 < 45/5
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