Compare 5/2 and 72/40
1st number: 2 1/2, 2nd number: 1 32/40
5/2 is greater than 72/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 2 and 40 is 40
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 40 - For the 1st fraction, since 2 × 20 = 40,
5/2 = 5 × 20/2 × 20 = 100/40 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 1 = 40,
72/40 = 72 × 1/40 × 1 = 72/40 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 100/40 > 72/40 or 5/2 > 72/40
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