Compare 72/18 and 49/40
1st number: 4 0/18, 2nd number: 1 9/40
72/18 is greater than 49/40
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 18 and 40 is 360
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 360 - For the 1st fraction, since 18 × 20 = 360,
72/18 = 72 × 20/18 × 20 = 1440/360 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 40 × 9 = 360,
49/40 = 49 × 9/40 × 9 = 441/360 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1440/360 > 441/360 or 72/18 > 49/40
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