Compare 72/21 and 40/45
1st number: 3 9/21, 2nd number: 40/45
72/21 is greater than 40/45
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 45 is 315
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 315 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 15 = 315,
72/21 = 72 × 15/21 × 15 = 1080/315 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 45 × 7 = 315,
40/45 = 40 × 7/45 × 7 = 280/315 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1080/315 > 280/315 or 72/21 > 40/45
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