Compare 56/40 and 72/9
1st number: 1 16/40, 2nd number: 8 0/9
56/40 is smaller than 72/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 40 and 9 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
56/40 = 56 × 9/40 × 9 = 504/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 40 = 360,
72/9 = 72 × 40/9 × 40 = 2880/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 504/360 < 2880/360 or 56/40 < 72/9
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