Compare 72/20 and 56/12
1st number: 3 12/20, 2nd number: 4 8/12
72/20 is smaller than 56/12
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 20 and 12 is 60
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 60 - For the 1st fraction, since 20 × 3 = 60,
72/20 = 72 × 3/20 × 3 = 216/60 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 12 × 5 = 60,
56/12 = 56 × 5/12 × 5 = 280/60 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/60 < 280/60 or 72/20 < 56/12
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