Compare 42/72 and 20/16
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 1 4/16
42/72 is smaller than 20/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 2 = 144,
42/72 = 42 × 2/72 × 2 = 84/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
20/16 = 20 × 9/16 × 9 = 180/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 84/144 < 180/144 or 42/72 < 20/16
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