Compare 48/42 and 72/49
1st number: 1 6/42, 2nd number: 1 23/49
48/42 is smaller than 72/49
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 42 and 49 is 294
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 294 - For the 1st fraction, since 42 × 7 = 294,
48/42 = 48 × 7/42 × 7 = 336/294 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 49 × 6 = 294,
72/49 = 72 × 6/49 × 6 = 432/294 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 336/294 < 432/294 or 48/42 < 72/49
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