Compare 42/72 and 72/4
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 18 0/4
42/72 is smaller than 72/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 4 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
42/72 = 42 × 1/72 × 1 = 42/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 18 = 72,
72/4 = 72 × 18/4 × 18 = 1296/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 42/72 < 1296/72 or 42/72 < 72/4
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