Compare 72/14 and 42/5
1st number: 5 2/14, 2nd number: 8 2/5
72/14 is smaller than 42/5
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 14 and 5 is 70
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 70 - For the 1st fraction, since 14 × 5 = 70,
72/14 = 72 × 5/14 × 5 = 360/70 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 5 × 14 = 70,
42/5 = 42 × 14/5 × 14 = 588/70 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 360/70 < 588/70 or 72/14 < 42/5
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