Compare 42/72 and 15/12
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 1 3/12
42/72 is smaller than 15/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 12 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
42/72 = 42 × 1/72 × 1 = 42/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 6 = 72,
15/12 = 15 × 6/12 × 6 = 90/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/72 < 90/72 or 42/72 < 15/12
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