Compare 42/72 and 36/96
42/72 is greater than 36/96
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 96 is 288
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 288 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 4 = 288,
42/72 = 42 × 4/72 × 4 = 168/288 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 96 × 3 = 288,
36/96 = 36 × 3/96 × 3 = 108/288 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/288 > 108/288 or 42/72 > 36/96
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