Compare 72/18 and 42/27
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 1 15/27
72/18 is greater than 42/27
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 27 is 54
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 54 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 3 = 54,
72/18 = 72 × 3/18 × 3 = 216/54 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 27 × 2 = 54,
42/27 = 42 × 2/27 × 2 = 84/54 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/54 > 84/54 or 72/18 > 42/27
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