Compare 40/72 and 5/8
40/72 is smaller than 5/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 8 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 8 × 9 = 72,
5/8 = 5 × 9/8 × 9 = 45/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 40/72 < 45/72 or 40/72 < 5/8
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