Compare 40/84 and 72/49
1st number: 40/84, 2nd number: 1 23/49
40/84 is smaller than 72/49
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 49 is 588
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 588 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 7 = 588,
40/84 = 40 × 7/84 × 7 = 280/588 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 49 × 12 = 588,
72/49 = 72 × 12/49 × 12 = 864/588 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 280/588 < 864/588 or 40/84 < 72/49
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