Compare 5/72 and 18/15
1st number: 5/72, 2nd number: 1 3/15
5/72 is smaller than 18/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 15 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 5 = 360,
5/72 = 5 × 5/72 × 5 = 25/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 24 = 360,
18/15 = 18 × 24/15 × 24 = 432/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 25/360 < 432/360 or 5/72 < 18/15
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