Compare 42/72 and 81/30
1st number: 42/72, 2nd number: 2 21/30
42/72 is smaller than 81/30
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 30 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 30 × 12 = 360,
81/30 = 81 × 12/30 × 12 = 972/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 210/360 < 972/360 or 42/72 < 81/30
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