Compare 42/56 and 72/5
1st number: 42/56, 2nd number: 14 2/5
42/56 is smaller than 72/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 5 is 280
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 280 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 5 = 280,
42/56 = 42 × 5/56 × 5 = 210/280 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 56 = 280,
72/5 = 72 × 56/5 × 56 = 4032/280 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/280 < 4032/280 or 42/56 < 72/5
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