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Answers.everydaycalculation.com » Compare fractions

Compare 42/72 and 42/15

1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 2 12/15

42/72 is smaller than 42/15

Steps for comparing fractions

  1. Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
    LCM of 72 and 15 is 360

    Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360
  2. For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
    42/72 = 42 × 5/72 × 5 = 210/360
  3. Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 24 = 360,
    42/15 = 42 × 24/15 × 24 = 1008/360
  4. Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
  5. 210/360 < 1008/360 or 42/72 < 42/15

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