Compare 72/21 and 45/8
1st number: 3 9/21, 2nd number: 5 5/8
72/21 is smaller than 45/8
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 8 is 168
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 168 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 8 = 168,
72/21 = 72 × 8/21 × 8 = 576/168 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 8 × 21 = 168,
45/8 = 45 × 21/8 × 21 = 945/168 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 576/168 < 945/168 or 72/21 < 45/8
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