Compare 72/18 and 36/7
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 5 1/7
72/18 is smaller than 36/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 7 is 126
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 126 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 7 = 126,
72/18 = 72 × 7/18 × 7 = 504/126 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 18 = 126,
36/7 = 36 × 18/7 × 18 = 648/126 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 504/126 < 648/126 or 72/18 < 36/7
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