Compare 72/18 and 21/4
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 5 1/4
72/18 is smaller than 21/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 4 is 36
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 36 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 2 = 36,
72/18 = 72 × 2/18 × 2 = 144/36 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 9 = 36,
21/4 = 21 × 9/4 × 9 = 189/36 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 144/36 < 189/36 or 72/18 < 21/4
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