Compare 72/24 and 40/9
1st number: 3 0/24, 2nd number: 4 4/9
72/24 is smaller than 40/9
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 24 and 9 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 24 × 3 = 72,
72/24 = 72 × 3/24 × 3 = 216/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 9 × 8 = 72,
40/9 = 40 × 8/9 × 8 = 320/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 216/72 < 320/72 or 72/24 < 40/9
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