Compare 5/40 and 72/18
1st number: 5/40, 2nd number: 4 0/18
5/40 is smaller than 72/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 18 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
5/40 = 5 × 9/40 × 9 = 45/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 20 = 360,
72/18 = 72 × 20/18 × 20 = 1440/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 45/360 < 1440/360 or 5/40 < 72/18
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