Compare 42/10 and 72/5
1st number: 4 2/10, 2nd number: 14 2/5
42/10 is smaller than 72/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 10 and 5 is 10
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 10 - For the 1st fraction, since 10 × 1 = 10,
42/10 = 42 × 1/10 × 1 = 42/10 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 2 = 10,
72/5 = 72 × 2/5 × 2 = 144/10 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/10 < 144/10 or 42/10 < 72/5
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