Compare 50/72 and 40/32
1st number: 50/72, 2nd number: 1 8/32
50/72 is smaller than 40/32
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 32 is 288
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 288 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 4 = 288,
50/72 = 50 × 4/72 × 4 = 200/288 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 32 × 9 = 288,
40/32 = 40 × 9/32 × 9 = 360/288 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 200/288 < 360/288 or 50/72 < 40/32
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