Compare 5/7 and 72/40
1st number: 5/7, 2nd number: 1 32/40
5/7 is smaller than 72/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 7 and 40 is 280
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 280 - For the 1st fraction, since 7 × 40 = 280,
5/7 = 5 × 40/7 × 40 = 200/280 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 7 = 280,
72/40 = 72 × 7/40 × 7 = 504/280 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/280 < 504/280 or 5/7 < 72/40
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