Compare 72/15 and 18/42
1st number: 4 12/15, 2nd number: 18/42
72/15 is greater than 18/42
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 15 and 42 is 210
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 210 - For the 1st fraction, since 15 × 14 = 210,
72/15 = 72 × 14/15 × 14 = 1008/210 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 42 × 5 = 210,
18/42 = 18 × 5/42 × 5 = 90/210 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1008/210 > 90/210 or 72/15 > 18/42
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