Compare 5/72 and 42/40
1st number: 5/72, 2nd number: 1 2/40
5/72 is smaller than 42/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 40 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 40 × 9 = 360,
42/40 = 42 × 9/40 × 9 = 378/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 25/360 < 378/360 or 5/72 < 42/40
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