Compare 42/9 and 72/36
1st number: 4 6/9, 2nd number: 2 0/36
42/9 is greater than 72/36
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 9 and 36 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 9 × 4 = 36,
42/9 = 42 × 4/9 × 4 = 168/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 36 × 1 = 36,
72/36 = 72 × 1/36 × 1 = 72/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 168/36 > 72/36 or 42/9 > 72/36
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