Compare 42/5 and 72/7
1st number: 8 2/5, 2nd number: 10 2/7
42/5 is smaller than 72/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 5 and 7 is 35
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 35 - For the 1st fraction, since 5 × 7 = 35,
42/5 = 42 × 7/5 × 7 = 294/35 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 5 = 35,
72/7 = 72 × 5/7 × 5 = 360/35 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 294/35 < 360/35 or 42/5 < 72/7
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