Compare 72/18 and 49/16
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 3 1/16
72/18 is greater than 49/16
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 16 is 144
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 144 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 8 = 144,
72/18 = 72 × 8/18 × 8 = 576/144 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 16 × 9 = 144,
49/16 = 49 × 9/16 × 9 = 441/144 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 576/144 > 441/144 or 72/18 > 49/16
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