Compare 72/18 and 42/8
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 5 2/8
72/18 is smaller than 42/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 8 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
72/18 = 72 × 4/18 × 4 = 288/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 9 = 72,
42/8 = 42 × 9/8 × 9 = 378/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 288/72 < 378/72 or 72/18 < 42/8
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