Compare 72/20 and 40/7
1st number: 3 12/20, 2nd number: 5 5/7
72/20 is smaller than 40/7
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 7 is 140
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 140 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 7 = 140,
72/20 = 72 × 7/20 × 7 = 504/140 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 7 × 20 = 140,
40/7 = 40 × 20/7 × 20 = 800/140 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 504/140 < 800/140 or 72/20 < 40/7
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