Compare 72/20 and 40/9
1st number: 3 12/20, 2nd number: 4 4/9
72/20 is smaller than 40/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 9 is 180
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 180 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 9 = 180,
72/20 = 72 × 9/20 × 9 = 648/180 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 20 = 180,
40/9 = 40 × 20/9 × 20 = 800/180 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 648/180 < 800/180 or 72/20 < 40/9
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