Compare 42/84 and 72/63
1st number: 42/84, 2nd number: 1 9/63
42/84 is smaller than 72/63
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 84 and 63 is 252
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 252 - For the 1st fraction, since 84 × 3 = 252,
42/84 = 42 × 3/84 × 3 = 126/252 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 63 × 4 = 252,
72/63 = 72 × 4/63 × 4 = 288/252 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 126/252 < 288/252 or 42/84 < 72/63
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