Compare 7/72 and 12/84
7/72 is smaller than 12/84
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 84 is 504
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 504 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 7 = 504,
7/72 = 7 × 7/72 × 7 = 49/504 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 84 × 6 = 504,
12/84 = 12 × 6/84 × 6 = 72/504 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 49/504 < 72/504 or 7/72 < 12/84
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