Compare 42/72 and 56/49
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 1 7/49
42/72 is smaller than 56/49
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 49 is 3528
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 3528 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 49 = 3528,
42/72 = 42 × 49/72 × 49 = 2058/3528 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 49 × 72 = 3528,
56/49 = 56 × 72/49 × 72 = 4032/3528 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 2058/3528 < 4032/3528 or 42/72 < 56/49
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