Compare 42/72 and 21/5
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 4 1/5
42/72 is smaller than 21/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 5 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
42/72 = 42 × 5/72 × 5 = 210/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 72 = 360,
21/5 = 21 × 72/5 × 72 = 1512/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/360 < 1512/360 or 42/72 < 21/5
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