Compare 5/72 and 18/7
1st number: 5/72, 2nd number: 2 4/7
5/72 is smaller than 18/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 7 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
5/72 = 5 × 7/72 × 7 = 35/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 72 = 504,
18/7 = 18 × 72/7 × 72 = 1296/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 35/504 < 1296/504 or 5/72 < 18/7
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