Compare 72/21 and 49/4
1st number: 3 9/21, 2nd number: 12 1/4
72/21 is smaller than 49/4
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 21 and 4 is 84
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 84 - For the 1st fraction, since 21 × 4 = 84,
72/21 = 72 × 4/21 × 4 = 288/84 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 4 × 21 = 84,
49/4 = 49 × 21/4 × 21 = 1029/84 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 288/84 < 1029/84 or 72/21 < 49/4
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