Compare 42/72 and 45/20
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 2 5/20
42/72 is smaller than 45/20
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 20 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 20 × 18 = 360,
45/20 = 45 × 18/20 × 18 = 810/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/360 < 810/360 or 42/72 < 45/20
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