Compare 42/16 and 72/30
1st number: 2 10/16, 2nd number: 2 12/30
42/16 is greater than 72/30
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 16 and 30 is 240
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 240 - For the 1st fraction, since 16 × 15 = 240,
42/16 = 42 × 15/16 × 15 = 630/240 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 30 × 8 = 240,
72/30 = 72 × 8/30 × 8 = 576/240 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 630/240 > 576/240 or 42/16 > 72/30
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